Bridgewater ‘definitely’ thinks he will play for the Vikings this season
By Adam Patrick
The Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback took some time to speak to the local media on Thursday and commented on what some of his goals are for this season.
Wednesday’s return to practice was a monumental moment in the career of Teddy Bridgewater. After being out of action for more than a year thanks to a severe knee injury, the quarterback took the field on Wednesday for an official practice with his Minnesota Vikings teammates for the first time since the 2016 preseason.
On Thursday, the Vikings’ quarterback spoke with some members of the local Minnesota media about his return to the practice field.
"“It was great to be back out there yesterday working with the guys. It’s been a long 14 months. But it was great to be back out there and see the reaction from the guys, reaction from the fans. It meant a lot to me. I have to continue to get better now.Being out there and running out of that tunnel yesterday, it did something to me in a good way.”"
Bridgewater knows how long of a process this has been leading up to this point and neither he or the Vikings are about to rush him back out into a game before he is ready. Especially when it comes to the Minnesota quarterback taking hits again.
Minnesota Vikings
"“You have to be smart with (contact) because the plan is to get to the race in order to run the race. If we’re not being smart and I’m not doing everything to get to the race, I won’t be able to run the race.”"
As far as what Bridgewater envisions for himself with the Vikings this season, the quarterback was not shy about his desire to get back out on the playing field.
"“I definitely believe I’ll play this year. But I can’t just sit here and say it, I have to put the work in on the practice field and show the training staff or the higher authority that eventually I can get back to the player who I was.”"
When Bridgewater will actually make his in-game return for Minnesota remains to be seen. It is beginning to seem less and less likely, but there is still a chance that the quarterback may not even return to the field at all for the Vikings this year.
Next: Teddy returns to the practice field
For now, Bridgewater and Minnesota are focusing on the quarterback getting as many reps with the offense in practice as he can. Once the Vikings coaching staff feels Bridgewater is up to speed enough with what the team wants to do offensively, then the next step will be taken to get the quarterback back out and running in the race.