Joe Webb Starting for Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers in Wild Card Game

According to Pro Football Talk, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder has been ruled inactive for the team's wild-card matchup with the Green Bay Packers, Joe Webb has been named the team's starter.

"

Christian Ponder is OUT for tonight.Joe Webb starts.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 5, 2013"

Ponder had been ruled questionable after injuring his elbow in Week 17. Webb has not attempted a pass for the Vikings all season and last started for the team on January 1, 2012.

The former Florida State signal-caller is coming off of an improved second season that saw him throw for 2,935 yards and 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions in the Vikings run-heavy offense.

Ponder’s improvement as a quarterback complemented by running back Adrian Peterson’s historic comeback from an ACL surgery has been been a big reason that the Vikings have found success this season.

Ponder was 16-of-28 for 234 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in the Vikings 37-34 overtime victory over the Packers last week. Coming off of that performance Ponder will certainly be missed by a Vikings offense that will look to unseat the Packers once again.

Webb has not attempted a pass for the Vikings all season and last started for the team on January 1, 2012.

The fourth-year quarterback will need to step up big-time for the team in only his 17^th pro appearance. He has three career touchdown passes with five interceptions and a career passer rating of 66.6.

With Ponder out, the Vikings will need yet another super-human performance from potential league MVP Adrian Peterson to stay competitive in this one.