Cram session: Josh Freeman gets to work in Minnesota, hopes to be ready ASAP

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Josh Freeman throws a pass during practice at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minn., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Freeman practiced with the Vikings for the first time since being claimed off waivers with the hopes of starting sooner rather than later. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) (The Associated Press)

Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks Josh Freeman, left, Matt Cassell, center, and Christian Ponder, right, practice at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minn., Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013. Freeman practiced with the Vikings for the first time since being claimed off waivers with the hopes of starting sooner rather than later. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt) (The Associated Press)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Josh Freeman's crash course has begun.

Freeman had his first practice with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, three days after the Vikings signed him to eventually be their starting quarterback. All indications are that Matt Cassel will start a second straight game for the Vikings on Sunday against Carolina.

But it's already clear that the Vikings plan to get Freeman some game action as soon as he's ready.

Freeman says it's been a whirlwind since he was released by Tampa Bay. He's spending his days and nights poring over the playbook to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

Coach Leslie Frazier says the Vikings have already discussed slimming down the playbook to speed up Freeman's learning curve.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org