The Minnesota Vikings have announced that quarterback Christian Ponder has been declared ineligible for tonight’s playoff game against the Packers, due to an elbow injury.
That means Joe Webb, who has not thrown a pass all year, will start at Lambeau Field.
https://twitter.com/SportsData_News/status/287702663649456128
Ponder, who is dealing with bursitis in his elbow, was seen during halftime of the Houston Texans-Cincinnati Bengals playoff game on NBC-TV tossing warm-up tosses at Lambeau Field. According to NBC.com, none traveled more than 15 yards.
Hints of Ponder’s status emerged about 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon with a tweet by Star Tribune sports reporter Dan Wiederer, who said he’d been told that it was “looking more likely” Joe Webb would start the game.
Have been told it is "looking more likely" Joe Webb will start tonight. Still no final word. But Vikings much closer to Plan B.
— Access Vikings (@AccessVikings) January 5, 2013
Wiederer posted an article with the same information on the Star Tribune’s website about 15 minutes later, adding that he was told the information by an “NFL source.”
He also reported that Webb had taken some snaps with the offense this week and speculated he wouldn’t be terribly uncomfortable if he was pressed to start.
Ponder, who was listed as “questionable” on Friday’s injury report, was injured in the Vikings’ 37-34 win over the Packers Sunday when Packers’ safety Morgan Burnett hit him hard on the blitz that resulted in a controversial catch by wide receiver Jarius Wright.
Ponder’s practice time was limited this week because of his sore right elbow.
Please refresh this page for updates on this developing story.
