Frazier: Freeman not Vikings' starter

Christian Ponder or Matt Cassel will start for the Minnesota Vikings this week against the Carolina Panthers, coach Leslie Frazier said at a press conference Monday.

Josh Freeman, signed to a one-year, $3 million deal for the final 12 games of the 2013 season, will join the team late Monday and begin assimilating the offensive system. Freeman started 59 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 25-year-old was released last week when Tampa failed to swing a trade for their benched former first-round pick.

Ponder didn't start Week 4 in London against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a fractured rib. His availability is uncertain coming off of the team's bye week. Cassel led the team to its first win of the season in Ponder's absence.