The Minnesota Vikings made announcements involving their three primary quarterbacks Wednesday morning, ending one’s season and beginning another’s.
Sam Bradford was placed on injured reserve after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday. He could, theoretically, return for the playoffs, but it’s unlikely the Vikings would play a rusty quarterback in the postseason.
Bradford injured his left knee against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, then appeared to aggravate the injury when he attempted to play against the Chicago Bears in Week 4.
“It was just lingering,” said head coach Mike Zimmer. “We thought it was going to be a one-week deal. Then it was two. Then it was three. Then it’s eight. Nothing else was working.”
The quarterback, who turned 30 on Wednesday, is in the final year of his contract and may have a murky future now that knee injuries have impacted three of his last five NFL seasons. Zimmer said Bradford spent his own money to find effective treatment, but he eventually had to resort to surgery with Dr. James Andrews. Initially, the injury was considered non-surgical.
“It’s really disappointing for him because he played so great in that first ballgame, and he’s done everything great really since he’s been here,” said Zimmer. “He spent thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars of his own money trying to get this thing back right. He wants to play very, very badly.”
Meanwhile, the quarterback news wasn’t all grim for the Vikings. Teddy Bridgewater was activated to the 53-man roster for the first time since a gruesome dislocated knee last August ended his 2016 season.
Bridgewater practiced with the team for two weeks prior to the bye as he tested his left knee and looked “excellent,” according to the head coach. He will be suited up Sunday at Washington, though Zimmer indicated that Case Keenum would start for the seventh time this season.
“We’re just trying to get him to where everybody feels comfortable with him,” Zimmer said of Bridgewater.
The Vikings (6-2) play the Redskins (4-4) on the road this weekend, where they also lost in Week 10 last season by a 26-20 score.
