Teddy's Ready! Finally!

The Minnesota Vikings will activate quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the 53-man roster today. He's finally back. He's been gone so long that he's yet to play a regular season game in still sparkling US Bank Stadium. The last game that he played that meant anything was that frigid playoff affair against the Seattle Seahawks following the 2015 season. It's been a while.

On August 30, 2016, Bridgewater suffered a dislocated knee, torn ACL and other structural damage while stepping away from center. It was a brutal injury suffered during a non-contact drill. There were some morbid sorts out there that didn't think that Bridgewater would ever walk again let alone play football. Several media talking heads dug up doctors to claim that a return to the NFL after an injury such as this was unlikely. A doctor spouting the prognosis for an injury that they hadn't treated always struck me as unprofessional and unethical. The only person that really gave Bridgewater a shot to return was Bridgewater. That's all that really mattered. 

Bridgewater's return is wonderful but the Vikings will have to make a move to open a spot for him on the 53-man roster. That's where it gets a little sticky and a lot less wonderful. There were several reports from league insiders and beat writers that Sam Bradford could be placed on injured reserve. He opened the season as the team's starter. At some point during his excellent performance against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, Bradford injured his knee. He's played only a half of one game since. That half didn't go well and his knee hasn't gotten any better. He visited with Dr. James Andrews yesterday. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that the visit included arthroscopic surgery. The surgery addressed a bone spur, loose particles, and cartilage issues in the knee. While it wasn't major surgery it and the recovery might be enough to have him heading to IR. On his birthday. It's a brutal game. 

It's great to see Teddy Bridgewater overcome an incredible obstacle and make it back to the NFL. Some might call it a miracle but it's really about a person that had the faith, dedication, and strength to do what needed to be done to get to where he wanted to be. Of course, he's never really back until he takes that first hit and gets up from it in a real game. There's no need to rush him back as Case Keenum is doing a fine job as the starting quarterback. When Bridgewater's ready he'll take the field.