Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said on Tuesday that Matt Cassel will likely get the start in Week 14 if starter Christian Ponder hasn't passed the league's concussion protocol, according to the Baltimore Ravens Twitter account. As you can probably guess, the Vikings take on the Ravens Sunday.
Matt Cassel will start if Christian Ponder can’t play; neither has fantasy value
Matt Cassel will start in place of Christian Ponder if the latter cannot play on Sunday. We break down the fantasy implications.
Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Ponder sustained the concussion against the Chicago Bears in Week 13, leaving the game just before halftime. Before leaving, he had just three completions for 40 yards. Cassel took over in that game and completed 20-of-33 passes for 243 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Neither quarterback has approached effectiveness this season. Ponder has 152 completions for 1,648 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. Cassel has 77 completions for 857 yards and five touchdowns against four interceptions.
Fantasy Impact: If you're relying on either Ponder or Cassel, or if you happen to be seething that Josh Freeman was passed over, your fantasy team is already in trouble. Cassel seems to be a more technically sound quarterback at this point. It's unclear why the Vikings want to stick with Ponder. If you absolutely have to start one of these guys, Cassel possibly getting the start, which is probably better news for fantasy owners.
