Report: Vikings' Cassel, not Ponder, to start

If the Josh Freeman signing was an indirect signal to starting quarterback Christian Ponder this week, the Minnesota Vikings are being a bit more blatant with their next decision.

According to reports, Matt Cassel will start Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers rather than Ponder, who was cleared medically and expected to return to practice after being limited by a rib injury.

Freeman, 25, was signed Monday to a one-year deal. General manager Rick Spielman said that $3 million contract was not an indictment of Ponder, who was 0-3 as a starter and sat out the Vikings' only victory this season with a fractured rib.