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Christian Ponder fans across the pond won't have the opportunity to see the quarterback play Sunday. The Vikings announced Friday that backup quarterback Matt Cassel will start for Minnesota against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in place of Ponder,Pat Tillman Cardinals Throwback Jersey, who suffered a rib injury in Week 3. .nfl-exposure-widget .thumbnail {height: auto; width: 275px;}2013 International Series Take a look at photos of the NFL across the pond as the Steelers and Vikings prepare for battle. Ponder was held out of Friday's practice in London,Brad Marchand Jersey Canada, where the Vikings and Steelers will play the NFL's seventh game in England. Both the Vikings and the Steelers come into this week's game at 0-3. The third-year Vikings starter revealed Wednesday that he injured his ribs in the Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier told reporters on Friday that Ponder has a fractured rib and feels it would be too risky to play him against the Steelers. While Frazier said Ponder made progress throughout the week,Chris Davis Orioles Jersey, there is no timetable for his return. Ponder said the fracture occurred near his heart,A.J. Klein Jersey UK, and doctors are concerned about him being hit. Ponder took the majority of first-team snaps on Thursday,Kurt Warner Cardinals Throwback Jersey, and Frazier insisted the team wanted Ponder to play. Cassel signed a two-year contract with the Vikings this offseason. He's started 62 games over a nine-year career, most notably helping the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record in 2008 after Tom Brady injured his knee in the season opener. Cassel went to the Pro Bowl in 2010 after a 27-touchdown season with the Kansas City Chiefs,Alexis Sanchez Jersey, but has been pedestrian at best the last two seasons. Ponder's play has been underwhelming in his third season. Frazier insists that this is not a convenient excuse for the Vikings to make a full-time switch,Brent Burns Jersey Canada, and he expects Ponder to return when healthy. Of course,Arturo Vidal Chile Jersey, if Cassel lights up an aging Steelers defense,Brett Favre Falcons Jersey, it might make that sturdy stance a bit more wobbly. The latest Around The League Podcast is now available on iTunes! Click here to listen and subscribe. |
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