Teddy Bridgewater: 'It's Good To Be Back'
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (WCCO) – It's almost reality television. We keep getting progress reports on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
On Wednesday, he was officially activated from the physically unable to perform list and put on the active roster.
On Thursday, he talked with the media about being officially activated.
It's not that he didn't know this week was coming. It's just that when it came, it meant much more to be on the roster again, to be part of the team.
"You know I never had any doubt. And that's a credit to the people around me. They never once let me get down," Bridgewater said.
Maybe it's more a testament to the high profile nature of being a quarterback in the NFL. But when they talk, the sports world seems to stop and listen. Even if for now he's on the second team.
"Case (Keenum) is starting this week and the guys are going to be behind him. I'm going to be behind him. I'm going to try to be that second pair of eyes for him on that sideline. Continue to motivate him and cheer the guys on," Bridgewater said.
He will be in uniform for Sunday's game at Washington, but will be the back-up quarterback. Case Keenum will get the start against the Redskins. Keenum is 4-2 as the starter this season, and also relieved Bradford in a victory at Chicago.
Timeline: Teddy Bridgewater's Recovery
"I'm excited to know I'm dressing this week and ready to focus on football. I can't wait to get out there on Sunday with the guys. No concerns at all, the training staff and strength and conditioning staff have done a great job of getting me back to this point. No holding back," Bridgewater said.
Now that Teddy is available to play, the question is can he play? He's 14 months removed from the last snap he took in a game. The answer may not be revealed any time soon.
It's been some time since we've seen this. In his mind, he's cleared to play. Any situation, any play, one step at a time.
"The thing is mentally preparing myself, physically preparing myself, just doing everything that I can do to be the best version of Teddy that I can be," Bridgewater said.
But for now, all that matters is he's again eligible. He's on the team.
Bridgewater received 800 text messages from teammates, other NFL players, family and friends after his injury.
It served as part of his motivation to do get back on the field.
"It took about three months to get back to all of them," Bridgewater said. "I never had any doubt, the people around me never once let me get down."
