Tim Tebow is still without a team since being released by the New York Jets on Monday and despite the fact that a number of teams have been linked to the quarterback, none have stepped up to the plate to actually sign him.
One option that previously was deemed out is the Minnesota Vikings and although the team signed Matt Cassel in the offseason as a backup, news that Christian Ponder had issues with a bruised triceps on his throwing arm last season could spark another move. According to ESPN.com, Ponder missed the Vikings playoff game last season after dealing with a bruised triceps and he said that two weeks after the season he had an ER scare when the injury returned and swelled up his arm.
The report says that Ponder is fully healed this season, but after the muscle hardened up on him and he rushed to the ER to ensure it wasn't a blood clot or something more serious. Ponder called Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman from the hospital and he spoke to the doctor and said that they should give him an MRI. Ponder said two weeks later everything cleared up and since then he has been able to work out fine.
"I called Sugs first, and thank goodness, because the doctor in the ER -- she was a great help, but like wanted to go into surgery," Ponder told reporters, according to 1500ESPN.com. "She thought it was compartmental syndrome. Luckily, Sugs called at the right moment and talked to the doctor and said don't do anything crazy, just go get him an MRI to make sure, and it ended up being fine."
The Vikings brought in Cassel to be a backup, but there is a chance he could start over Ponder if he is ineffective despite the fact that he had a bad year in 2012. Cassel has led teams to 10-5 records twice and has been to the playoffs and over his time he has gone 29-33 as a starter, with 82 touchdowns and 57 interceptions and could be an option if the season doesn't start off well.
Tim Tebow is a huge wild card here and while the Vikings likely will not be using him or bringing him in, it could be an interesting fit with Adrian Peterson in the backfield. Tebow was poorly used by the Jets last season for no apparent reason and gained just 102 yards on the ground and 39 through the air while scoring zero touchdowns. Tebow has been able to win in the NFL and bring his team to the playoffs and he did that more recently than Cassel did.
Although Rick Spielman likely won't bring in Tebow after signing Cassel, the option could come for cheap down the line and the risk reward is low for teams now that they can sign Tebow as a free agent rather than have to trade for him. The team lost Percy Harvin after trading him to the Seattle Seahawks and the more playmakers on the roster the better for the Vikings.
