The Vikings can get quarterback Teddy Bridgewater back on the practice field after next Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, once he has been on the physically-unable-to-perform list for six weeks. It sounds as if Bridgewater could be on track to return soon.
Multiple sources said the Vikings have been planning to get Bridgewater on the practice field soon after Week 6, provided his rehabilitation continues without setbacks. The quarterback's return from a dislocated left knee and a torn ACL is said to be going well, and provided Bridgewater gets through the next week without any issues, he could practice the following week.
At that point, the Vikings would have a three-week window to decide whether to return Bridgewater to their active roster or keep him on the PUP list for the remainder of the season. That decision would likely hinge on how Bridgewater handles the three weeks of practice, recovers from the work sessions and handles any unforeseen obstacles. If all goes well, it's conceivable he could be on the active roster by the second half of the season.
It could make for an interesting situation, with Sam Bradford continuing to make progress in his own return from lingering left knee issues and Case Keenum also on the active roster. None of the three quarterbacks is under contract for next season, though Bridgewater's deal could possibly toll into 2018 in light of his time on the PUP list. The NFL's collective bargaining agreement says a player's contract tolls in the final year of the deal if he spends time on the PUP list, though there is some question whether a player would need to spend the entire season there for the contract to toll in actuality.
ANDREW KRAMMER
