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Steelers vs. Vikings: Ponder questionable for Sunday with rib injury

Vikings QB Christian Ponder has a rib injury previously not revealed, and he may miss Minnesota's Week 4 game against the Steelers.

By Neal Coolong
Adam Bettcher
It seemed inevitable that veteran Matt Cassel would wrest the starting quarterback job from Christian Ponder at some point.

That may be in Week 4 against the Steelers.

From London, Ponder admitted to the media he suffered a rib injury in Minnesota's loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3, and he's listed as questionable on the team's injury report.

Ponder is 59-for-100 this season, with 691 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions (65.9 rating). He's rushed 15 times for 76 yards and two touchdowns, both coming against the Browns.

Cassel was signed by the Vikings this offseason after seeing former back-up quarterback Joe Webb put up the worst performance of the 2012 postseason at the position in a loss at Green Bay. Ponder was injured in Week 17, and didn't play against the Packers. Webb was 11-for-30 for 180 yards - most of which coming well after the game was out of reach.

Cassel is 1-2 against the Steelers in three starts with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, going 45-for-95 (47.4 percent) with 571 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in those games.

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