Eden Prairie, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder will start under center on Sunday when the team takes on the Green Bay Packers, head coach Leslie Frazier confirmed Friday.
Ponder had missed Minnesota's last three games with a rib injury he sustained in a Sept. 22 loss to the Cleveland Browns.
With Ponder on the mend, Matt Cassel started the team's two games before the Vikings brought in quarterback Josh Freeman to start against the New York Giants.
Freeman completed 20-of-53 passes for 190 yards with an interception, but sustained a concussion in the Week 7 loss to the Giants and will be inactive on Sunday against the Packers.
"He did a little bit of work today," Frazier said of Freeman's participation in Friday's practice. "He was cleared this morning but that was about it. He didn't do that much but he did something."
With Freeman ruled out for Sunday, Frazier is forced to go back to Ponder, who led the team to three straight losses to open the season while throwing five interceptions compared to just two touchdown passes.
Running back Matt Asiata (shoulder), tight end Rhett Ellison (ankle) and wide receiver Rodney Smith (hip) have also been ruled out against Green Bay.
Safety Jamarca Sanford (ankle) and defensive tackle Fred Evans (knee) sustained injuries during practice this week and are questionable for Sunday.
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