EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Christian Ponder will start at quarterback for Minnesota against Green Bay on Sunday night, while Josh Freeman will be inactive after being cleared to practice. Next weeks as-the-quarterback-carousel-turns episode has not been written yet, but the Vikings have their guy for the Packers game. Coach Leslie Frazier confirmed after practice on Friday that Ponder will start against the Vikings bitter rival. Freeman reported concussion-like symptoms the day after his rough performance Monday night in a loss to the New York Giants. He passed the NFLs required tests and went through part of the workout with the Vikings on Friday, but this was too late in the week for him to catch up with the game plan and get ready to play. Frazier said Freeman will be inactive on Sunday night, with Matt Cassel backing up Ponder. Frazier said the Vikings expect Freeman to fully participate in practice next week, which will create another mini-drama about who will take the next turn through this revolving door, particularly if Ponder plays well. For now, the focus is on the Packers. "Ive got to any way I can help Christian out there. He had an excellent week of practice. Hes dropping dimes left and right. I know everybody is excited about moving forward," Freeman said. Freeman said his film review of the game didnt pin down the exact hit that caused the concussion. He said he didnt start feeling bad until after the flight home. This was his first concussion in the NFL. "Ive really appreciated how the coaches have handled it," Freeman said. "Its been kind of, OK, all right, take your time, feel it out. It hasnt been, Hurry up and get back. Theyve treated it and handled this situation very professionally in allowing me to get back at my own pace, which is, with any head injuries a necessary step." Conspiracy theorists were curious about the timing of the injury, given how poorly Freeman played. But he denied any exaggeration or fabrication of his condition. "All I can do is live in my truth," Freeman said. Frazier said Freemans inaccuracy was mostly due to mechanical issues, not for a lack of preparedness. "There were obviously some shots, looking back, I could hit in my sleep, but in the game they were maybe a little high. That made it hard on my guys," Freeman said. "Its definitely something that calls for improvement and definitely something that were working on day to day." After being benched for Cassel earlier this month, Ponder has the job again. The best game of his NFL career came against the Packers last year, a victory by the Vikings to finish the regular season and reach the playoffs. He also had a decent debut in 2011, at home against the Packers. Maintaining a positive attitude through the disappointment of losing the job after his broken rib was fully healed paid off for Ponder. "I wasnt sure if things they were telling me were true or not," Ponder said this week. "But I stayed focused. Like I said in previous weeks, I can control what I can control, and that was getting better on the field and getting healthy. Im healthy now. And, again, Im going to take full advantage of this opportunity." Tight end/fullback Rhett Ellison, who has been an important blocker in the running game, missed practice again on Friday because of an ankle injury and wont play on Sunday night. Frazier said his absence is "a pretty big loss." Baltimore Orioles Gear . on the 15-day disabled Monday list because of a strained right hamstring. Orioles Jerseys 2020 .com) - The Los Angeles Dodgers made it official Tuesday and signed pitcher Brandon McCarthy to a four-year contract. https://www.cheaporioles.com/. The 28-year-old lefty made his MLB debut in 2013, making 10 starts and going 2-5 with 4.05 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Albers was named the Twins organizations minor league pitcher of the year for 2013. Baltimore Orioles Shirts . But when it was all over they had wasted another lead, seen another pitcher flame out on the mound and lost their fourth straight at home. Orioles Jerseys China . The Blue Jays lost to the New York Yankees 3-1 Tuesday night, their seventh defeat in 10 games. Rasmus was put on the 15-day DL on May 15 because of a sore right hamstring. Hes hitting .222 with nine home runs and 19 RBIs.Berea, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - The Cleveland Browns have officially ended Johnny Manziels rookie season by placing the rookie quarterback on injured reserve Wednesday. Browns head coach Mike Pettine had already stated during his Monday press conference that Manziel would miss Sundays season finale at Baltimore with a hamstring injury the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner sustained in Clevelands Week 16 loss to Carolina. Manziel wasnt able to meet expectations in his NFL debut, as the first-round pick was beaten out by journeyman Brian Hoyer in the preseason and served as the backup for the Browns first 13 games. He got his chance to start in Clevelands game against Cincinnati on Dec. 14, but managed just 80 passing yards and was intercepted two times in a 30-0 loss to the Bengals. The former Texas A&M star was 3-for-8 for 32 yards before exiting late in the first half of Sundays 17-13 setback to the Browns.dddddddddddd. Hoyer replaced Manziel but hurt his throwing shoulder during the Carolina game and did not take part in Wednesdays practice. His status for Sundays contest remains uncertain. If Hoyer cannot play, either newly signed Tyler Thigpen or undrafted rookie Connor Shaw would draw the starting assignment at quarterback. Thigpen was just signed by the Browns on Tuesday, while Shaw is currently still on the teams practice squad. Nose tackle Ishmaaily Kitchen was also put on IR Wednesday due to a leg injury, while fellow defensive lineman John Hughes was activated from injured reserve/designated to return. Hughes has been sidelined since spraining his right knee against Oakland in Week 8. The third-year pro had 10 tackles in four games (two starts) prior to the injury. ' ' '