Vikings

Vikings Will Start Matt Cassel Against The Panthers

October 11, 2013

Update:

Vikings HC Leslie Frazier told reporters on Friday that Matt Cassel will get the start against the Carolina Panthers this weekend, per Chip Scoggins.

Frazier added that Christian Ponder will be Cassel’s backup.
Josh Freeman will be inactive for his first game with the Vikings.

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Adam Schefter reports that although QB Christian Ponder has been cleared to play on Sunday, Matt Cassel is likely to draw the start against Carolina.

As if the signing of Josh Freeman was an obvious enough indication that the Vikings were willing to sit Ponder at some point, it appears as though he’s he’ll be benched, despite the fact that his rib injury is doing much better.

Cassel did lead Minnesota to their first win of the season after he was 16-of-25 for 248 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Depending on how Cassel plays, assuming of course that he does in fact get the start, and Josh Freeman’s ability to pickup the Vikings system, Ponder may very well have played his last snap for the Vikings.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentioned in Wednesday’s mailbag that he’s getting the sense that the Vikings will give Matt Cassel another start against the Panthers.

Meanwhile, Tom Pelissero of USA Today was informed by a Vikings player that Cassel was working with the first-team offense during the team’s walkthrough Wednesday.

Pelissero later added that pecking order for quarterbacks was Cassel, Christian Ponder and Josh Freeman in that order.
Panthers HC Ron Rivera told reporters during a conference call Wednesday that they are preparing as if Cassel will start Sunday, per Pelissero.

Ponder missed Week 4’s game against the Steelers due to a rib injury, so it appears as though the team will most likely move forward with the guy who led them to their only victory of the season.

While the team just signed Freeman to a one-year deal, it’s unrealistic to think that he would be able to step in and run the team’s offense after just a few practices with the team. I’m sure he’ll force his way into the conversation at some point down the road.

We’ll have more regarding the situation in the coming days.