Quarterback Josh Freeman, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings a week ago, will start at some point this season.
Fox Sports reported Monday that Freeman will be named starter once he is comfortable with the offense.
Christian Ponder missed one game with a rib injury and was a healthy scratch Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Ponder was cleared to play last week but coach Leslie Frazier continued with Matt Cassel, who made his second consecutive start. Cassel threw two interceptions in the 35-10 home loss.
Freeman was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 3. He was courted by several teams but chose Minnesota in part because of the chance to start.
The Vikings drafted Ponder with the No. 12 overall pick in 2011. He has been the Vikings’ starter since October 2011, but it appears to be only a matter of time before the job is handed over to Freeman.
Ponder has completed 59 of 100 passes for 691 yards with two touchdowns and five interceptions in four games this season.
Freeman threw for more than 4,000 yards last season but struggled in Tampa Bay this year. He completed just 43 of 94 passes (45.7 percent) for 571 yards with two touchdown passes and three interceptions before getting released by the Bucs.