Aug 28, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws during the first quarter in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings activated quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the 53-man roster on Wednesday and placed Sam Bradford on injured reserve.
The team had a Wednesday deadline to decide Bridgewater’s status for the rest of the 2017 season after he spent the first six weeks sidelined on the physically unable to perform list before being medically cleared to return to practice on Oct. 18.
The Vikings, who lead the NFC North at 6-2, decided to shut down Bradford for the rest of the 2017 regular season but if they make the playoffs and the veteran is healthy, the team could elect to activate him off IR.
Case Keenum, who was been filling in for Bradford, will remain the starter when the Vikings visit the Washington Redskins on Sunday following the team’s bye week.
Bridgewater is expected to serve as the backup, with quarterback Kyle Sloter also on the roster. Sources told ESPN that the Vikings expect Bridgewater to transition back to his starting role at some point this season.
Bridgewater, who turns 25 on Friday, has been leading the scout team offense since returning to practice three weeks ago.
The Vikings’ 2014 first-round pick tore his ACL and dislocated the left knee during a late August practice last year. Bridgewater is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 when he passed for 3,231 yards and 14 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
Bradford underwent an arthroscopic procedure Tuesday in which Dr. James Andrews “cleaned up” his left knee but found no major damage, according to ESPN.
Bradford, acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles after Bridgewater’s injury last year, has been battling an ailing knee since leading the Vikings to a 29-19 win over the New Orleans Saints in the 2017 opener.
