There was plenty to report Wednesday at Winter Park as the Minnesota Vikings took the field in their second OTA session open to the media.
One man in attendance was Sharrif Floyd, who spoke on the record for the first time since the offseason report that he had nerve damage in his quadriceps.
Floyd was pulled from the Vikings’ Week 1 game at Tennessee with a knee issue and did not play another down last season. He underwent an arthroscopy on his right knee on Sept. 22, which presumably led to the lingering damage that was detailed in a USA Today report.
The former first-round pick, who started 24 games through his first three seasons, said the talk of his career being in jeopardy is “rumor,” but Floyd has yet to reach the point where he can run in his rehab. He observed practice in sweat pants Wednesday morning.
“It’s been hell,” said Floyd. “It’s hot down there.”
The defensive tackle wouldn’t address specifics about the injury, but Floyd is now over eight months past the September surgery without a clear timeline for recovery. He wouldn’t say for sure whether he’d be available to play this season.
There will be many steps ahead for Floyd, who still has to get back in game shape once he is able to run.
“I feel like progress is being made,” said Floyd. “It’s just taking its sweet old time.”
Teddy tosses
Unlike last week, Teddy Bridgewater was present at practice for the media to see, giving reporters a chance to observe what’s really going on with the quarterback’s rehab.
The signs were encouraging.
Teddy Bridgewater participated this morning in individual drills with QBs and WRs. Rehabbed rest of the time with a trainer. pic.twitter.com/jYfwSYgAyb
— Sam Ekstrom (@SamEkstrom) May 31, 2017
Bridgewater practiced play-action passes, throwing on the run (more like a jog) and a variety of routes with his receivers. For the rest of practice, he did footwork and agility drills while tethered to a trainer. (Check out @SamEkstrom on Twitter for additional video clips).
“He’s been looking good since he’s been out here,” said running back Jerick McKinnon. “He’s making progress as everybody knows.”
According to general manager Rick Spielman, Bridgewater has not been cleared for full practices, but with training camp still two months away, the quarterback’s progress should be heartening for Vikings fans.
Roll call
There were nine players either inactive or limited at Wednesday’s practice for various reasons, known and unknown:
CB Xavier Rhodes (absent; reason unknown)
S Antone Exum Jr. (absent; possibly due to injury sustained last week)
RB Latavius Murray (present but inactive; still recovering from ankle surgery)
WR Stacy Coley (present but inactive; reason unknown)
WR Adam Thielen (present but inactive; wore sleeve on left leg)
LB Shaan Washington (present but inactive; wore boot on right foot)
LB Emmanuel Lamur (present but inactive; reason unknown)
DT Sharrif Floyd (see above)
QB Teddy Bridgewater (see above)
Depth chart nuggets
- The Vikings used Nick Easton as the first-team center with third-round pick Pat Elflein back with the second team.
- The second-team offensive line was unusual with Willie Beavers at left tackle, Jeremiah Sirles at left guard, Elflein at center, T.J. Clemmings at right guard and Rashod Hill at right tackle. The biggest surprise there is Clemmings, who has played tackle each of the last two seasons. Beavers at left tackle is also curious, though the team started moving him to tackle late last season for additional depth.
- With Thielen inactive, Jarius Wright got some first-team reps in three-WR sets along with Stefon Diggs and Laquon Treadwell.
