At the moment, it doesn’t seem as though the Vikings will be featuring Week 1 starter Sam Bradford in their game against the Cleveland Browns this week, as he wasn’t visible at Thursday’s walkthrough. Neither were backups Stephen Weatherly or Jeremiah Sirles. Instead, we could see the return of some needed starters at quarterback, receiver and offensive line.
If there’s any doubt that the Vikings are serious about evaluating Teddy Bridgewater’s fitness for play, his role in team drills should be enough to assuage concerns. Bridgewater and Case Keenum largely alternated snaps in team drills, with Kyle Sloter occasionally slotting in for some reps. The first team drill of the day saw Bridgewater taking a rep and it seems as if he and Keenum will be alternating so that the Vikings can make a decision before the Browns game.
Mike Zimmer was predictably ambiguous about whether or not Case Keenum would start, telling reporters that “we will see” whether or not Keenum or anyone else would be named the starter.
Alongside Bridgewater and Keenum was receiver Stefon Diggs, who participated with the rest of the team in walkthrough. Diggs was listed as a full participant in practice, an upgrade over his limited participation in the previous week; he should start the game and play a heavy role.
Both offensive linemen that were injured last week against the Baltimore Ravens – left tackle Riley Reiff and left guard Nick Easton – practiced with the rest of the offensive line early in walkthroughs. Reiff was listed as a full participant in practice and should be fully ready to go.
Easton’s playing availability is up in the air, as he was listed as a limited participant along with Michael Floyd.
The practice conditions were unusual. A mere 100 yards away was a pasture with livestock loosely fenced in with a shoddy fence. Vikings players shouldn’t be too worried, however – right next to their 40-yard practice field was a hedge maze they could duck into if the cows were ever spooked by the practice horn.
Practicing in the shadow of the Syon House, which looks more like a castle, must have been a surreal experience, but nothing about the London game ever seems normal – even if teams go to great lengths to make the process seem like any other week.
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