AP

The Vikings haven’t made any official decision about their starting quarterback for Thursday night’s game against the Packers, but a report on Thursday morning had the signs pointing toward Teddy Bridgewater missing the game with an ankle injury.

Those signals got a little stronger on Thursday afternoon when the Vikings announced that quarterback Chandler Harnish has been signed off of the practice squad. Wide receiver Rodney Smith was waived to make room for Harnish.

Harnish, who signed to the practice squad this week, gives the team three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster and would serve as the team’s backup if Christian Ponder gets the start at Lambeau Field. His arrival doesn’t guarantee that Bridgewater will be inactive for this week’s game, but one would guess that the late timing of the move says a good deal about the team’s optimism regarding Bridgewater’s status.

We’ll know for sure in a couple of hours, but it’s looking like the second chapter of Bridgewater’s NFL career will have to wait.