Ponder Out, Winfield In
As the post below indicated, Christian Ponder (elbow) is amazingly going to be inactive for what should have been his first playoff appearance. Joe Webb, who Vikings fans are very familiar with, will be starting in his place.
Webb’s backup will be McLeod Bethel-Thompson who has never appeared in a regular season NFL game. With the way Webb runs the ball, and may be asked to do a lot today, it is reasonable to wonder if our postseason hopes won’t end up on MBT’s shoulders.
The team’s other inactives are receiver Stephen Burton, cornerback Brandon Burton, linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, offensive lineman Troy Kropog, end George Johnson and end D’Aundre Reed.
This means rookie linebacker Audie Cole will be asked to replace McKenzie on special teams. Cole made a big splash in the preseason by returning two interceptions for touchdowns on back-to-back plays.
The inactives list also does not include Antoine Winfield which is good news for a Vikings secondary that will need all the help it can scrounge up against Aaron Rodgers and the potent passing attack of the Green Bay Packers.