Christian Ponder Won’t Play In Wild Card Game

Christian Ponder, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback, has been declared inactive for tonight’s NFC Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers because of an injured elbow. This development suggests that running back Adrian Peterson will get even more carries than expected.

Ponder, who has started 26 consecutive games for the Vikings, injured his right elbow last week when he made contact with an opposing player’s helmet while throwing in the last regular game of the season, which also happened to be against the Packers.

The Vikings QB briefly threw before the game, but then headed back to the locker room, according to ESPN:

“Ponder completed a short throwing session during pregame warmups at Lambeau Field to test the elbow. He threw about 10 passes, none that went longer than 15 yards, and then left the field with Vikings athletic trainer Eric Sugarman.”

Backup Joe Webb will start in the place of injured Christian Ponder, NFL.com reports:

“Webb has made three career starts, but he did not throw a pass during the regular season. Given the opponent, setting and stakes, this amounts to something of an impossible situation to be put in, but Webb at least got some reps this week to knock the rust off.”

Even though the Ponder injury is a blow to the Vikings, Webb is more of running quarterback than Ponder, which could possibly change things up, Sports Illustrated explains:

“What Webb does bring to the table, compared to Ponder, is more mobility. Ponder is capable of getting out of the pocket — he rushed for 253 yards and two touchdowns this season — but Webb is arguably more dangerous as a runner than a passer. During a tight loss to the Lions last season, for example, Webb ran for 109 yards and a touchdown, while passing for just 84 yards.”

The Vikings-Packers game kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Minnesota already had its hands full in the showdown with Aaron Rogers and company. Do you think that the Vikings can win with Joe Webb rather than Christian Ponder as quarterback?

[Image credit: Kevind810]