Christian Ponder’s Status for Next Week is “Tenuous”

Sep 22, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Billy Winn (90) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) for a 6 yard loss in the first quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Browns win 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

How long will Christian Ponder be out of action after suffering a broken rib midway through the Cleveland game two weeks ago? One report has him missing 3-4 games, but some have dismissed this “report” as mere speculation. Until we know for certain that Ponder is out for the Carolina game in two weeks, we have to operate on the assumption that there’s at least a chance he will play.

Don’t expect any help from Leslie Frazier in working out the answer to this profound mystery. Frazier has said so many nonsensical and contradictory things in recent weeks, I’m beginning to think he is in the early stages of dementia. Or maybe Leslie is just a master of obfuscation.

Whatever the case, Leslie isn’t giving anything away when it comes to Ponder’s status for next weekend. Frazier spoke with Paul Allen on Friday about the practice status of various injured players and of course Ponder’s name came up. Frazier said he “thinks” Ponder will practice next week but that his situation is “a little more tenuous” than that of other injured Vikings like Chris Cook and Rhett Ellison (who Frazier also thinks may practice; or not).

Of course you wouldn’t expect Frazier to come right out and say that Ponder is ready to practice and ready to go, cause then Carolina would know which quarterback to prepare for. You’ve got to keep that kind of information under wraps until the last second, right? That’s how the pros do it. For all we know, Ponder is good to go right now and Judd Zulgad was just talking out his butt when he “guessed” that Ponder would miss 3-4 weeks.

We’ll find out next week when practice begins again. Were I a betting man, I would wager we don’t see Ponder. I would wager that Matt Cassel starts against Carolina. And those hoping for Josh Freeman? I’d hold off on that jersey pre-order.

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