Christian Ponder Has Bursitis, May Need Elbow Drained Before Game

Dec 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) drops back against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Vikings won 23-6. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

You know that bruised elbow Christian Ponder has been dealing with all week? Well it turns out the team wasn’t being entirely honest about that. It wasn’t just a bruise that was bothering Ponder. It was a recurrence of chronic bursitis.

For those not familiar with the condition, bursitis is the swelling and inflammation of a fluid-filled sac, the bursa, that acts as a cushion between muscles, tendons and joints. Ponder has actually dealt with this problem on multiple occasions. He had it in the elbow in college and he’s had it in the knee during his pro career. Ponder reportedly had fluid drained from his elbow on multiple occasions during his senior year at Florida State, and such a procedure may again be needed before Saturday night’s playoff game vs. Green Bay.

So what does all this mean for Ponder? It means he’ll be dealing with discomfort if not flat-out pain in his throwing elbow tonight. Whether this discomfort/pain will seriously impede Ponder’s ability to make throws…that’s something we don’t yet know. The Vikings plan on taking a look at Ponder just before game time to see how he is doing. But right now there is nothing to indicate that Ponder won’t play.

So those responding to the silly doom-and-gloom reports being thrown out by media hacks? Ignore them. As of now, Ponder is go. Bursitis or no bursitis.

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