Christian Ponder was forced from Minnesota's Week 10 game against the Redskins with a left shoulder injury, and will not return. Matt Cassel, and not $3 million mid-season signing Josh Freeman, is now in the game at quarterback. Ponder racked his shoulder diving all out for the pylon near the end of the third quarter, taking a huge hit from Redskins CB DeAngelo Hall. Ponder immediately came up with his non-throwing arm dangling. It has the looks of a potentially serious injury. Ponder was taking full advantage of the Redskins' swiss-cheese defense before going down, completing 17-of-21 passes for 174 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. The pick was a terrible throw to end Minnesota's opening possession, but Ponder had been lights out since, particularly outside the pocket.

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports the Vikings will continue to make their starting quarterback decision on a week-to-week basis. It's a bizarre approach for a team whose season is already lost, but the Vikings haven't specialized in making good decisions this season. Paying Josh Freeman $3 million to make one concussion-marred start grows more puzzling by the day, especially since the Vikings couldn't possibly need to see more out of Christian Ponder. They know what they have in the 2011 first-rounder. We don't doubt Ponder gives the team its best chance to win, but evaluating Freeman should be a greater priority.

Speaking after Sunday's loss in Dallas, coach Leslie Frazier said he'll stick with Christian Ponder as his starter for Thursday's game against the Redskins.

Christian Ponder completed 25-of-37 passes for 236 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in Week 9 against the Cowboys. Making his second consecutive start, Ponder also rushed for 29 yards and one touchdown on four rushes. Ponder didn't play bad in the first half but was completely inept after the break. He was strip-sacked in the end zone for a Dallas touchdown early in the third quarter. Ponder also terribly under-threw Greg Jennings on his interception. He's now rushed for four touchdowns this season and thrown for two in five starts. It's unclear who will start Thursday night against the Redskins. It wouldn't be a surprise if it was Ponder.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier announced Friday Christian Ponder will start Sunday against the Cowboys. Ponder is worth a desperation look in two-quarterback leagues because of his scrambling ability, but he's looked like a regressing passer through four starts this year. On the season, Ponder has a 2:5 TD-to-INT ratio with two more lost fumbles. Fire up the Cowboys' fantasy defense, and avoid Minnesota pass catchers. The Vikings will probably turn back to Josh Freeman in Week 10.

Christian Ponder took the first reps with the first-team offense in Thursday's practice. Ponder did the same thing on Wednesday. It would appear he's the favorite to start over Josh Freeman against the Cowboys, but coach Leslie Frazier isn't announcing his decision until Friday. Whomever gets the call will be a low-end QB2, even against Dallas' pathetic defense.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier declined to name his Week 9 starting quarterback at Monday's presser. Christian Ponder predictably bombed in his Week 8 return to the starting lineup, but not as spectacularly as Josh Freeman (concussion) did in Week 7. Frazier did confirm that Matt Cassel is not in the mix. A messy situation will likely just keep on getting messier.

Christian Ponder completed 14-of-21 passes for 145 yards in Sunday night's Week 8 loss to the Packers, adding five carries for 38 yards and one touchdown.

Christian Ponder will be the Vikings' starting quarterback in Week 8 against the Packers. Josh Freeman (concussion) has been ruled out, and the Vikings have turned the page on Matt Cassel, understandably. Of course, they also had appeared to turn the page on Ponder as recently as last week. This is a big opportunity for Ponder in a potential shootout against Green Bay. He's worth a look in two-QB leagues, and could keep the job if he keeps Minnesota competitive.

Christian Ponder has not demanded a trade. Ponder played behind Matt Cassel last week and the Vikings have since named Josh Freeman their starter going forward. That leaves the No. 12 overall pick in the 2011 draft with an uncertain future. "I have to figure out what's best for me and everything and for this team," Ponder said Wednesday. "I don't know if that's staying here or going somewhere else." His rookie deal is up after the 2014 season.