Signs are pointing to the likelihood that the Vikings could have Teddy Bridgewater as their quarterback before Sam Bradford.

While Bridgewater nears being able to practice next week, it was reported Sunday that Bradford has been receiving blood injection treatments in hopes of decreasing the inflammation in his left knee.

While we hinted last week at the possibility Bridgewater could beat Bradford back to health, this news regarding Bradford is an ominous sign.

Injections are typically for swelling in a knee joint, not for a bone bruise. With the reported injection, blood is taken from Bradford, spun down and the healing/anti-inflammatory part of the blood is placed into the knee joint – not into the bone itself where it is bruised.


If the bruise has now led to overlying articular cartilage damage (possibly the wear and tear mentioned this week by the Vikings), that could be ominous and have longer-term implications – as Jay Glazer reported Sunday morning on Fox.

The bone is like the dirt on a football field, articular cartilage is like the grass. When an elephant stomps on the field hard enough to compact the dirt, you have to keep off the grass to allow it to recover. If the surface is now damaged, that could be problematic and explain why he is getting injections.

Given the circumstances and now the injections, it becomes more likely that Bradford will be out through the Vikings’ Week 9 bye. By then, Bridgewater could be ready to beat Bradford back as the Vikings’ starter.

Bridgewater, who suffered a knee dislocation with multiple ligament tears in August 2016, is eligible to come off the PUP list Monday.


He is said to seeing a doctor for clearance on Tuesday. Wednesday could be his first day of practice. Given that he hasn’t played football since 2015, it will take multiple weeks before he is ready. The best-case scenario is probably for Week 10 after the bye.

Update:

Bridgewater has been cleared to return.

Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater has been cleared to practice by doctor who performed the surgery on his dislocated knee, according to source — Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 16, 2017


On Teddy Bridgewater post-exam today: #Vikings will activate him this week or next week. They expect him to play this year. Amazing recovery — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 16, 2017