Teddy Bridgewater: Fans have good reason to worry

Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) greets fans after a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Vikings won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) greets fans after a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in a preseason NFL football game at Paul Brown Stadium. The Vikings won 17-16. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Teddy Bridgewater missed last week’s game with a sore shoulder and may be hurt worse than the Vikings are letting on.

The latest update on Teddy Bridgewater is that his shoulder is fine and there is no reason for concern.

No reason for concern even though Bridgewater was a last-minute scratch from last week’s preseason game. Even though Bridgewater hasn’t thrown in practice at all yet this week.

No reason for concern according to Mike Zimmer (via FoxSports):

"Zimmer said Saturday that Bridgewater could have played Thursday at Seattle, but the coach decided to keep him out. Zimmer refused to characterize Bridgewater’s condition, but ESPN.com reported Bridgewater has a sore shoulder."

Remember last year when Mike Zimmer wasn’t concerned about John Sullivan? And Sullivan wound up not playing a single down all season?

Mike Zimmer is publicly never concerned about any injury because that is how Mike Zimmer deflects questions about injuries.

Zimmer would rather stick his arm in fire up to his elbow than give an honest answer about an injury.

Zimmer’s position is understandable but so too is the anxiety of fans who have seen this show before.

Sure, it’s possible Mike Zimmer is telling the truth and Teddy Bridgewater is okay. It’s also possible Zimmer is downplaying Bridgewater’s injury the same way he downplays every injury.

Which leaves us asking the same question: How serious is Bridgewater’s “sore shoulder?”

Is it something that will get better with rest or will it require surgery?

Will Bridgewater be ready to start the season or will the Vikings have to go with Shaun Hill?

Next: Bridgewater may miss rest of preseason

How long might Bridgewater be out if indeed his shoulder requires surgery?

Can the Vikings win with Shaun Hill instead of Teddy Bridgewater?

Is the sky falling?

All due respect to Mike Zimmer, but when it comes to injuries I don’t take anything he says seriously.

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