Peterson out, Ponder in for Vikings

Adrian Peterson is out for the third straight game with a high ankle sprain, but Christian Ponder (hip pointer) is active and will start Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is inactive for the third straight game after suffering a high ankle sprain Nov. 20 against the Oakland Raiders, but quarterback Christian Ponder is active and will start Sunday against the Detroit Lions.

Both Ponder and Peterson were listed on Friday’s injury report as questionable.

Peterson began practicing on a limited basis on Thursday for the first time since he left the Oakland game, but he said Friday that it was sore again after applying a part-time practice regimen to his left ankle the day before. He still did some work in practice Friday, but he still hadn’t cut on it like he does in games.

With 872 rushing yards, Peterson said getting to 1,000 yards this season is one of the statistical benchmarks that motivates him to get back on the field.

“It’s motivation. I’m a running back. I have team goals and I have personal goals, also. That’s a mark I definitely want to reach, getting past 1,000 yards,” Peterson said Friday. “If it comes this week and I’m available to play, then it will. If not, then I’ll have to wait until next week. It’ll come.”

Ponder suffered a hip pointer in the first half of last Sunday’s loss to the Broncos, but he continued to play through the pain. He said it wasn’t as sore on Friday, his first day of practice during the week, but stiffness in the right hip and surrounding areas was the biggest concern.

“I think it’s a matter of my effectiveness. I don’t know how effective I’ll be,” Ponder said. “I would like to think that that I’ll be playing 100 percent, but I don’t know if that’s 100 percent true. We’ll see.”

Ponder put extra pads on his hip after the injury and said he expects to wear them again this week.

Joining Peterson on the inactive list Sunday are CB Chris Cook, LB Xavier Adibi, OL Brandon Fusco, OL DeMarcus Love, TE Allen Reisner and DE D’Aundre Reed.

Key inactives for the Lions include RB Kevin Smith (ankle), DT Nick Fairley (foot), CB Chris Houston (knee), S Louis Delmas (knee) and DE Lawrence Jackson.

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