MINNEAPOLIS — Christian Ponder’s time has arrived in Minnesota. The agency that represents Ponder, taken 12th overall out of Florida State in April’s draft, tweeted Tuesday that the quarterback will start for the Vikings on Sunday against the Packers.
“Congrats to (hash)Vikings client (at)cponder7 for earning the start for next week’s game,” SportsTrust Advisors posted to its Twitter account.
With the Vikings 1-5 and coming off of a 39-10 loss at Chicago, the move was widely expected. Coach Leslie Frazier said Monday that he would take the next two days to evaluate the position and make an announcement today.
The move sends 34-year-old Donovan McNabb to the bench.
Polamalu could play Sunday
PITTSBURGH — A violent collision with Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew’s churning knees won’t be enough to keep Steelers safety Troy Polamalu out of the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Cardinals.
Coach Mike Tomlin said the 2010 NFL defensive player of the year is “good to go” after passing a concussion test.
The team removed Polamalu from the game midway through the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 17-13 victory over the Jaguars with concussion-like symptoms.
Former Bills center Hull dies
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kent Hull, who served as Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly’s center during the Bills’ AFC title years in the early 1990s, died of undisclosed causes. He was 50.
Hull was a three-time Pro Bowl selection during 11 seasons with the Bills, who placed his name on Ralph Wilson Stadium’s Wall of Fame in 2002.
Benson suspension reduced
CINCINNATI — Bengals running back Cedric Benson received a reduced one-game suspension (instead of three) from the NFL for his misdemeanor assault cases settled before the season.
• Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga expects to miss at least one more game because of a sprained left ankle.
Footnotes.
The Eagles traded out-of-favor running back Ronnie Brown to the Lions for running back Jerome Harrison and a 2013 draft pick believed to be a seventh-rounder.
• The Browns signed running back Chris Ogbonnaya to their active roster from Houston’s practice squad and waived rookie running back Armond Smith.
• The Jaguars placed tight end Zach Miller (shoulder) on injured reserve and signed Martin Rucker off Dallas’ practice squad.
Denver Post wire services
