Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater may not ever play in an NFL game again, but he’s not backing down one inch, either.
Speaking to media Thursday, one day after the Vikings officially placed him on the PUP list to open camp, Bridgewater shared the following.
“You have days when you don’t see the progress, but it’s a long process,” Bridgewater said. “I’m in it for the long haul. I want to be the best version of Teddy I can be.”
Recently, Bridgewater shared video of himself working out without a brace on his knee, which is a humongous development considering the severity of his injury last year. Though, even he admitted Thursday he has a big bridge to cross that will determine whether he can come back all the way.
“That first initial hit or contact will tell me I can do this,” Bridgewater said. “If I can do it one time, I can do it forever.”
The Vikings have been very impressed with the way Bridgewater has come back from what was reported as a life-threatening injury. Head coach Mike Zimmer once again lauded his quarterback for the amazing progress he’s made in the past year.
"@teddyb_h2o inspires me by the way he goes about his business." – Coach Zimmer
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 27, 2017
"For him right now where he's at is remarkable." – Coach Zimmer on @teddyb_h2o
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 27, 2017
It remains to be seen if Bridgewater will be activated at any time this season. If he’s still on the PUP list at the start of the season, then he’ll be inactive for at least the first six weeks. Because the Vikings have a very capable quarterback in Sam Bradford, who’s signed through 2017, they have no reason to rush Bridgewater back.
Barring injury to Bradford, in this scribe’s mind Minnesota would be crazy to let Bridgewater play a single down in 2017.