Image courtesy of Vikings.com
Surprise Vikings fans! Teddy Bridgewater tosses today during Vikings OTAs.
There was a bit of a surprise on the first day of Vikings OTAs. Only nine months after suffering a potentially career-ending injury, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to the field. The team posted a video of Bridgewater throwing this afternoon:
It’s hard to gather much from the video since it’s in slow motion, but Bridgewater appears to be moving quite well considering the severity of the knee injury he suffered on August 30th, 2016. Bridgewater suffered a torn ACL and dislocated knee, an injury so gruesome that some considered it career-threatening.
Despite the misfortune, teammate Kyle Rudolph told ESPN no one has a better attitude than Bridgewater. He has stayed optimistic throughout the whole process and as a result of that is attempting to make an Adrian Peterson-like recovery from a major knee injury. Peterson returned to game action just nine months after tearing his ACL. Bridgewater, also back on the field after only nine months, is still rehabbing the knee, but his recovery appears to be ahead of schedule. There is still no timetable for Bridgewater’s return.
Bridgewater, also back on the field after only nine months, is still rehabbing the knee, but his recovery appears to be ahead of schedule. There is still no timetable for Bridgewater’s return.
The Vikings recently declined Bridgewater’s fifth-year option. The 24-year-old currently has one year left on his rookie deal, but it’s possible his contract may toll into next season if he remains on the PUP list through Week 6 of the upcoming season.
The way things currently stand at quarterback, the Vikings have Sam Bradford listed atop their depth chart. Case Keenum and Taylor Heinecke are competing as backups. Bridgewater remains on injured reserve.