REPORT: Vikings Likely to Shelve Bradford to Accommodate Bridgewater

  |  
Nov 7, 2017
Image courtesy of Vikings.com

In order for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to join the active 53, the Minnesota Vikings need to make a roster move. The transaction will take place on, of all days, Sam Bradford’s 30th birthday. Is a QB swap in the works? 

Ever since news broke that Teddy Bridgewater was going to be activated from the PUP list, Vikings faithful have pondered what roster move the team would make in order to add the quarterback to the active 53-man roster. Well, it appears the team is close to that decision.

Sam Bradford still has pain in his left knee. According to a tweet by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the Vikings quarterback visited orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, again, to have the knee reexamined. Bradford originally met with Andrews back on September 22 when it was determined no further operation was needed.

Media reports say the evaluation by Dr. Andrews, who performed surgeries on Bradford to repair ACL tears in 2013 and 2014, could lead to an exploratory arthroscopic procedure to determine the extent of the issue with Bradford’s twice-repaired knee. Alternative treatments, such as Regenokine treatment, have not worked as hoped.

Andrews’ assessment will give the Vikings the information they need to determine whether or not to put the quarterback on injured reserve. Placing him on IR would end his regular season.

By placing Bradford on injured reserve, the team would also free up a spot on the active 53-man roster for Bridgewater. The Vikings are expected to activate Bridgewater off the physically unable to perform list tomorrow.

The team could opt to keep Bradford on the active roster, but the team would need to waive another player. That player would not be third-string quarterback Kyle Sloter, who according to Chris Tomasson of the Saint Paul Pioneer Press, is unlikely to be put through waivers by the Vikings.

Based on his body language from first half of the Week 5 Chicago Bears game, it was clear that Bradford was not close to returning the field. At this point, placing the ailing Bradford on injured reserve appears to be the most logical option for the Vikings. He would be eligible to return after the regular season.

UPDATE: It’s official.