Eden Prairie, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier announced on Friday that Christian Ponder will start Week 9 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Ponder started in place of an injured and ineffective Josh Freeman in Week 8, completing 14-of-21 passes for 145 yards and added a rushing touchdown in a 44-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Ponder began the season as the starting QB for Minnesota, but after sustaining a rib injury in Week 3, he was replaced by Matt Cassel, who started two games before the club turned to Freeman.
Freeman started Week 7's loss to the New York Giants and was largely ineffective, completing just 20-of-53 passes for 190 yards with an interception. Later that week he was diagnosed with a concussion, re-opening the door for Ponder.
For the season, Ponder has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 836 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions.
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