Vikings rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater won’t place a percentage on his chances to play Thursday against the Packers, but he feels the ankle has made progress.
“I’m much further ahead than I was Sunday,” Bridgewater said.
The Vikings have a quick turnaround after defeating the Falcons, 41-28, on Sunday. In that game, Bridgewater suffered the ankle injury on a quarterback sneak in the goal line. Bridgewater said he’ll run for the first time on Tuesday after rehabbing the ankle indoors with flexibility exercises.
“Teddy’s doing much better,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said. “If he can play, he’ll play.”
Bridgewater said he hasn’t pushed off the ankle or thrown a pass this week. He didn’t practice on Monday. Zimmer said Bridgewater will receive more mental reps at practice on Tuesday.
“We have a long time until Thursday, so I just want to continue to rehab, do a little exercising [Tuesday] and see where I am these next couple of days,” Bridgewater said.
Bridgewater, along with running back Jerick McKinnon with his 135-yard rushing performance, is up for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award (You can vote here on the award). He became just the second quarterback to throw for over 300 yards, 317, and zero interceptions in his first career start.
If the rookie is ruled out against the Packers, quarterback Christian Ponder will get the start. Ponder replaced Bridgewater against the Falcons and finished the game.
“I’ve felt like I’ve paid attention in practice the whole time taking a lot of mental reps,” Ponder said. “So I feel like I’m pretty confident in what I’m doing.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
