When Teddy Bridgewater went down on Aug. 30, 2016 with a devastating non-contact knee injury, wide receiver Stefon Diggs said he could hear a pin drop.
Nearly 14 months later, Bridgewater is back on the practice field and has teammates jokingly comparing him to Joe Montana.
“He looked great,” said Diggs. “If that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will.”
Bridgewater spoke to the media for the first time since training camp Thursday morning and expressed confidence that he’ll play in a game at some point this season. He also said he felt healthy enough to practice weeks ago.
His recovery — now virtually complete — appears to have concluded without a setback. Not only does Bridgewater believe he can face defensive pressure and use his mobility the same way he did during his 2015 Pro Bowl season, he believes his upper body is even stronger than before, giving him additional zip on passes.
Bridgewater built his reputation on being unflappable. As he begins the next step in a rehab journey that’s been meticulously detailed, what lies ahead will be more random and unpredictable. He’ll have to take a hit for the first time, weave around a broken-down pocket, use his legs to make a play and perhaps hurdle himself forward to pick up a first down.
“If you’re going to take the ball and go 70 or 80 yards and score,” said offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, “somewhere in that drive, the quarterback’s going to have to do something with his feet.”
“Playing quarterback, you have to be the eye of hurricane,” Bridgewater said. “There’s a lot going around you so you have to remain calm, and that’s something I take pride in.’’
Shurmur was still the tight ends coach when Bridgewater was last considered the team’s starting quarterback. Now he is the chief play-caller, running an offense that may fit Bridgewater’s skillset even more than Norv Turner’s.
The Vikings eased Bridgewater into his first practice and reportedly gave him some work with the first team. It’s uncertain, not only when the 24 year old will be activated, but when he’ll play. Sam Bradford’s health and Case Keenum’s performance will have to be taken into account.
Bridgewater, though, says he has begun preparing as he did when he was the starting quarterback. In past weeks, he has been running the team’s offensive script with trainers on the practice field. He told reporters he’s been watching more film, getting massages and heading to bed earlier.
It sounds like a man who still sees himself as the team’s franchise quarterback.
“I felt very comfortable, being out there and competing,” said Bridgewater about his first practice, “I’ve been able to watch film and get a feel for the guys and how they move around and things like that, so I didn’t feel rusty at all. It was just good to be out there with the guys, in the huddle, calling plays, looking those guys in the eye, seeing that those guys trust in me and I trust in those guys.”
Bridgewater has spent months lurking behind the scenes at Winter Park, oftentimes at arm’s length from the media, but fully accessible to his supportive teammates. While they’ve encouraged him during his tumultuous road, he’s also given the encouragement back. His inevitable return to the active roster will represent a victory, not just for Bridgewater, but for his teammates who endured the journey with him.
“Just to see him for the first time, putting his jersey back on, it inspires me to see a guy go through that and he still smiles,” said Diggs. “It’s a rollercoaster, for you to come out on the other side where the grass is greener.”
INJURY REPORT
A pair of injured Vikings took positive steps Thursday as Diggs and Anthony Barr participated in practice, though Diggs was limited during the team’s individual drills.
Sam Bradford was absent for a second straight day, while Nick Easton and Michael Floyd were present but did not participate.
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