Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater’s return could happen in three weeks, putting the future of injured signal-caller Sam Bradford with the team in doubt. According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, Bridgewater is hoping to get clearance from team doctors to join practice. If he’s healthy enough, then he can return to action within three weeks. Earlier, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com reported Bridgewater has had no setback in his rehabilitation and they expect him to pass his physical. Rapoport and Pelissero reported that Bridgewater is ready to go, as he has been throwing and doing football activities in rehab and it’s just a matter of time before he joins the Vikings’ practice.
Bridgewater a former Vikings starter
A 32nd overall pick by the Vikings in 2014, Bridgewater started in 12 of 13 games that year, completing 259 of 402 passes for 2,919 yards and he had 14 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He also ran 47 times for 209 yards and a touchdown. The following season, Bridgewater became the Vikings’ full-time starter where he completed 292 of 447 passes for 3,231 yards and 14 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also carried the ball 44 times for 192 yards and three scores. However, he missed the whole 2016 season after sustaining a dislocated knee and torn ACL last August.
Bradford’s NFL future in peril
According to Glazer, Bradford has no timetable for his return from a knee injury, which is serious enough to put his NFL future in peril.
However, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer downplayed reports that Bradford’s career is in jeopardy. Rapoport and Pelissero reported that Bradford, an eight-year veteran, underwent a blood-spinning treatment where doctors draw his blood and then reinsert into his injured knee. Bradford suffered a knee injury in their Week 1 victory over the New Orleans Saints where he completed 27 of 32 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
He missed the next three games before he started against the Chicago Bears in Week 5.
However, Bradford was pulled out with 25 seconds remaining in the first half and was replaced by Case Keenum, who led them to a close 20-17 win. In his four games as starter, Keenum has posted a 2-2 record. He completed 24 of 38 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown and an interception to lead the Vikings to a 23-10 win over the Green Bay Packers Sunday. With the win, the Vikings tied the Packers for the lead in the NFC North with identical 4-2 records.
