Are the Vikings going to activate Sam Bradford for the playoffs?

The Minnesota Vikings quarterback is expected to return to practice next week after sitting out with a knee injury since Week 6.

When the Minnesota Vikings announced that they were putting Sam Bradford on injured reserve with a knee injury on November 8, many assumed that his 2017 season was over. Some even believe that he has already played his last game in a Vikings uniform since he is currently in the last year of his contract.

With just one game remaining this season, there are apparently some thoughts being thrown around of Minnesota possibly activating Bradford and adding him to the team’s playoff roster.

When asked on Wednesday about if he thinks the quarterback will practice this week or next, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said he believes Bradford could begin practicing again sometime next week. As for whether or not the quarterback will be ready to be a part of the playoff roster, Zimmer said the following.

"“We’ll see when we practice. All I’ve done is talk to him. I haven’t watched him work out or do any of those things.He says he feels good. He’s been working out and doing things. Getting on the field, he’s throwing the ball and doing workouts. (But I) haven’t seen him workout.”"

People can interpret that however which way they prefer, but Bradford being a part of Minnesota’s playoff roster seems like a stretch at this point.

Minnesota Vikings

For now, the Vikings are likely just doing their due diligence and making sure Bradford is somewhat prepared in case of an emergency. Case Keenum or Teddy Bridgewater suffering an unfortunate injury over the next two weeks would be the only logical reason to activate Bradford for the postseason.

Some may view Bradford as a better backup option for the Vikings right now than Bridgewater, but Bradford has not even practiced with the team since early October. Bridgewater has at least been getting practice reps in since he was removed from the Physically Unable to Perform list in Week 7.

Bradford may also say he is healthy right now, but he also said something similar before he went on the field in Week 5 and did his own version of the Mannequin Challenge against the Chicago Bears. Being in the last year of his current contract may also have something to do with the quarterback attempting to get just one more chance to play this year.

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Of course, anything can happen. But until he actually practices again for the Vikings (if ever), Bradford and the Cleveland Browns both have the same shot at appearing in the 2017 playoffs.