LITTLE ROCK — VIKINGS QB limited by sore elbow
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder is dealing with a sore right elbow that has been limiting him in practice this week as the Vikings prepare for a playoff game at Green Bay.
Coach Leslie Frazier said he isn’t concerned with Ponder’s ability to play in the game Saturday. Frazier said he expects Ponder to ramp it up in practice Thursday and be ready to go for the third game this season between the division rivals.
Ponder was injured Sunday when his elbow hit a Packers helmet on the follow-through. He was able to remain in the game and deliver one of his best performances in a 37-34 victory.
Adrian Peterson was held out to rest, as was cornerback Antoine Winfield on Wednesday.
REDSKINS Two starters on the shelf
ASHBURN, Va. - Linebacker London Fletcher and left guard Kory Lichtensteiger, both with sprained left ankles, were spectators as the Washington Redskins began their first practice for the playoffs.
It wasn’t unusual for Fletcher, who has frequently missed practice but has continued to play every week since he was injured in mid-November.
Lichtensteiger was hurt in the third quarter of Sunday’s NFC East-clinching victory over Dallas. Rookie Josh LeRibeus would likely fill in if Lichtensteiger can’t play Sunday against Seattle.
Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins was not on the field for the start of Wednesday’s session. Coach Mike Shanahan was expected to address Cousins’ status after practice.
Starter Robert Griffin III continues to wear a brace on his right knee. He adjusted it during the stretching portion of practice.
FALCONS Koetter signs extension
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Atlanta Falcons Coach Mike Smith said offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has signed a contract extension to stay with the team through next season.
Koetter’s name surfaced this week as a head coaching candidate in Cleveland, Kansas City and Philadelphia.
In his first season with the Falcons, Koetter has overseen an offense that ranks second in third-down efficiency, seventh in scoring and fewest sacks allowed and eighth in total yards.
Smith praised Koetter’s play-calling and game-planning with helping Atlanta earn the NFC’s No. 1 playoff seed.
Ryan added that Koetter “does agreat job in putting all of our guys in position to succeed.”
Koetter, who was not available to speak with reporters, spent four years with Jacksonville before joining the Falcons last January.
ODDS & ENDS
Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements said he’s “flattered” to be drawing interest from other teams. He said his focus remains on getting reacy for the Minnesota Vikings. Clements told the Green Bay Press-Gazette and ESPNWisconsin.com on Wednesday that the Chicago Bears have asked the Packers for permission to talk to Clements about their head coaching position. Permission has been granted, but NFL rules prohibit Clements from talking to the Bears at least until after Saturday night’s playoff game against Minnesota. ... The Chicago Bears have agreed to a reserve/future contract with defensive end Cheta Ozougwu. The 6-2, 255-pound Ozougwu appeared in two games for Chicago this season and had two tackles. The Bears announced the move Wednesday.
...The Eagles have signed defensive end Everette Brown and cornerback Trevard Lindley to two-year contracts. Brown played in 31 career games with Carolina and San Diego Chargers from 2009-2011. He had 6 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 1 interception. Brown was released by Detroit before the 2012 season and sat out the year. Lindley, a fourthround draft choice by the Eagles in 2010, played 11 games as a rookie. He wasn’t on an NFL roster the past two seasons.
Playoff glance All times Central WILD-CARD PLAYOFFS Saturday’s games Cincinnati at Houston, 3:30 p.m. (NBC) Minnesota at Green Bay, 7 p.m. (NBC) Sunday’s games Indianapolis at Baltimore, noon (CBS) Seattle at Washington, 3:30 p.m. (Fox) DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS Saturday, Jan. 12 Baltimore, Indianapolis or Cincinnati at Denver, 3:30 p.m. (CBS) Washington, Seattle or Green Bay at San Francisco, 7 p.m. (Fox) Sunday, Jan. 13 Washington, Seattle or Minnesota at Atlanta, noon (Fox) Baltimore, Indianapolis or Houston at New England, 3:30 p.m. (CBS) CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday, Jan. 20 AFC, TBA (CBS) NFC, TBA (Fox) SUPER BOWL Sunday, Feb. 3 At New Orleans AFC champion vs. NFC champion, 5 p.m. (CBS)
Sports, Pages 19 on 01/03/2013