Eden Prairie, MN – The Minnesota Vikings have declared both quarterback Christian Ponder and cornerback Antoine Winfield questionable for Saturday's clash with the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs, after each put in limited practices on Friday.
Head coach Leslie Frazier has expressed optimism during the week that both will be available for this weekend's matchup at Lambeau Field, which comes six days after the Vikings posted a 37-34 home win over the Packers to secure the NFC's final wild card berth.
Ponder has been listed as limited all week due to a bruised throwing elbow, which he sustained during a collision with Green Bay safety Morgan Burnett in the second quarter of last Sunday's regular-season finale. The 2011 first- round pick did stay in the entire game, however, and tied a career high with three touchdown passes while throwing for 234 yards without an interception.
"I think he'll be alright," said Frazier on Thursday. "He's going to do everything he can to make sure he's ready to go. He's doing a lot more stuff mentally than physical right now, but he should be fine."
Winfield fractured his right hand during Minnesota's Week 16 win at Houston and exited last Sunday's contest because of the injury, but has been fitted with a new cast and is expected to play despite the questionable tag.
Star running back Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 199 yards and a touchdown on a career-best 34 carries in last week's critical victory, missed some practice time during the week with a minor abdominal strain but is listed as probable for the playoffs.
Other notables regarded as probable for Sunday's tilt include defensive ends Jared Allen (shoulder) and Brian Robison (shoulder), safety Harrison Smith (knee), offensive tackle Phil Loadholt (knee), cornerback A.J. Jefferson (ankle) and punter Chris Kluwe (knee).
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