EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder said his injured right arm wouldn't have allowed him to play in Saturday night's playoff game in Green Bay. On Monday, he showed why.
With the team cleaning out the locker room Monday, Ponder revealed severe bruising in his right arm, the result of a hit from Packers safety Morgan Burnett in the final regular season game. Ponder was declared inactive 90 minutes before the Vikings' 24-10 first-round playoff loss at Green Bay.
"Obviously it wasn't as much fun as I wanted it to be," Ponder said of his day Saturday. "I wanted to be out there. Frustrating day, but out of my control. It's something that makes me hungry to be able to get back and play in a playoff game next year."
Ponder was limited all week and declared inactive after trying to throw about three hours before Saturday's kickoff. Ponder only attempted 10 short throws and was shutdown. He said he lost velocity and the flexibility in the arm to the point he couldn't raise a football above his chest.
Classified as a deep triceps contusion, Ponder said that no surgery is needed and he will just need rest for the injury to heal.
"Every day it feels a little better," Ponder said Monday, with the arm wrapped and still without much flexibility. "I think the flexibility, it gets better every day, but it's still got some time to get better."
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