Christian Ponder missed two of Florida State’s last four games because of an arm injury, including the ACC title game loss to Virginia Tech. Whether or not he takes the field for his final game as a collegian remains up in the air a little over two weeks out from kickoff.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the senior quarterback underwent a surgical procedure on his injured right (throwing) elbow area last week. It was the second surgery in the past month to relieve an issue with a burst bursa sac that ultimately turned into the removal of scar tissue this time around.
Ponder will likely be held out of practice until Dec. 26, five days before the Seminoles will take on South Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. While head coach Jimbo Fisher indicated they will be very prudent in their handling of Ponder, he also intimated that the prospects for the QB’s availability seem very good.
“We’re going to let it heal all the way up – and that way it will heal,” Florida State coach Fisher said. “And what he’s doing now, they think he’s way ahead of schedule. [Doctors] feel very good about it.”
Ponder originally injured the arm Oct. 16 against Boston College, but played the next two games before sitting out the win over Clemson a month later. After returning for the final two games of the regular season, Ponder was unexpectedly held out of the conference championship game.
E.J. Manuel started in the loss to the Hokies and acquitted himself well given the circumstances. The redshirt sophomore would get the nod again if Ponder is unable to go.