National Football League

McNabb expects to be Vikings starter

Published Oct. 17, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Donovan McNabb said he still expects to start as the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback against the Green Bay Packers next week despite being replaced by rookie Christian Ponder in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's 39-10 loss to the Bears in Chicago.

McNabb, 34, was pulled with 14:50 left. Ponder, Minnesota's first-round pick from Florida State in April's draft, completed 9 of 17 passes for 99 yards in his NFL debut.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said Ponder did a "good job under the circumstances" and refused to confirm his starter for next week's visit of the undefeated Packers to the Metrodome on Sunday.

"We've got to sit down and talk about a lot of things," Frazier said when asked postgame if McNabb would still be under center against the defending champion.

With the Vikings 1-5 after Sunday's heavy defeat, McNabb -- who completed 19 of 24 passes for 177 yards at Soldier Field -- accepted that discussions would be held.

"I guess we'll sit down and talk, but I still expect to be in there next week," the veteran said.

When asked about Frazier's decision to replace him with Ponder, McNabb said, "The kid's got to get some reps."

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