Vikings QB Ponder passes concussion test, set to start against Bears on Sunday - NFL News
Minnesota Vikings got some good news ahead of their game week 17 matchup against Chicago Bears as rookie quarterback Christian Ponder has recovered from a concussion and is ready to start on Sunday.
Ponder has been the starting quarterback throughout the year for the Vikings since being drafted as the twelfth overall pick in this year’s drafts.
Ponder suffered the concussion in the third quarter during the Vikings 33-26 victory over the Washington Redskins last week. The quarterback was taken off the field for tests and replaced by Joe Webb.
Ponder in practice Wednesday did not show any post concussion symptoms and Coach Leslie Frazier has announced that the rookie quarterback will start against the Bears.
“Hopefully, it will continue throughout this week," Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said. "But the plan is for him to start on Sunday.”
Ponder was in a fun mood during practice and quipped a joke about the concussion tests he underwent saying
"I guess I actually scored higher on my baseline tests, so maybe I got some sense knocked into me,"
With Ponder returning back to the squad Joe Webb will again be on the bench and it seems that the 25-year old cannot do enough to convince Coach Frazier to start him against the Bears.
Webb has been brilliant both times he has replaced Ponder when the rookie had to be taken off with injury almost leading a comeback during the Vikings 34-28 loss to Detroit Lions. Webb came on the field in the third quarter against the Lions after Ponder
struggling with a hip pointer threw his third interception of the game.
Webb made an immediate impact scoring a brilliant 65-yard rushing touchdown and then throwing a two yard pass to Toby Gerhart in the fourth quarter to bring the Vikings just one scoring play behind the Lions.
In the final minute however, the Lions forced Webb to fumble on the final drive and stopping a brilliant comeback in its tracks.
Webb was at it again against the Redskins. With Ponder suffering a concussion and taken back inside the stadium for tests. Webb came on the field with Vikings trailing 13-10. The quarterback threw two touchdown passes and rushed for a single touchdown as
the Vikings came back into the game to win just their third game of the season.
"I think you always want to do whatever is best for your team and whatever gives your team the best chance to win," Frazier said. "Right now, Christian being our starting quarterback, that's our belief."
With the Bears visiting on Sunday the Vikings will look to end the season on a high.
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