Vikings coach Leslie Frazier says rookie quarterback Christian Ponder has a hip pointer following Sunday's loss to Denver and will be watched closely this week in practice. Frazier also says Adrian Peterson is “very close” to returning from his high ankle sprain.

Adrian Peterson was back on the field Thursday for the first time since spraining his ankle against Oakland. The Vikings will need all the help they can get to avoid their fifth-straight loss Sunday in Detroit. Quarterback Christian Ponder did not practice, due to a hip pointer injury.

Head coach Leslie Frazier is "optimistic" that Adrian Peterson will play Sunday when the Vikings host the 10-3 New Orleans Saints. Peterson has missed the last three-and-a-half games with a high ankle sprain.

Vikings' quarterback Christian Ponder says Leslie Frazier told him they will "get a lot of wins together" following Sunday's disappointing loss to the Raiders. Ponder threw three interceptions in the game, but Frazier remains confident in the rookie QB.

Vikings coach Leslie Frazier assured Friday that he's keeping quarterback Christian Ponder as his starter despite the team's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday night. Barring injury, Frazier said, "Christian is going to be fine."

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier says Christian Ponder is still the team's No. 1 quarterback, despite a disastrous past three weeks. Meanwhile, head trainer Eric Sugarman says Ponder was "doing great" Monday after suffering a concussion in Saturday's win over Washington.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier says Adrian Peterson is "questionable" for Sunday's game against Denver. Peterson is nursing a high ankle sprain. He sat out last week's loss to Atlanta.

Leslie Frazier announced Thursday that Christian Ponder is the Vikings starting quarterback. It isn't breaking news, but it takes pressure off the second-year QB. Ponder says the game has "really slowed down" since last year. Frazier agrees, saying Ponder's "decision-making has gotten a lot better."