Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said he's hopeful rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will play on Thursday against the Packers at Lambeau Field. Bridgewater had an MRI on his sprained ankle right after the game, which Zimmer said came back clean.

"He's doing a lot better today, so we'll see," Zimmer said.

The rookie suffered the ankle injury on a 3rd and goal quarterback scramble from the 2 in the fourth quarter. He remained in the game on 4th and goal but was carted to the locker room during the next offensive series. Christian Ponder replaced Bridgewater and finished the game, sealing the Vikings 41-28 victory over the Falcons at TCF Bank Stadium. Bridgewater returned to the sideline later in the fourth, but he didn't return in the game.

The Vikings signed quarterback Chandler Harnish, who was the quarterback at Northern Illinois under Gophers head coach Jerry Kill, to the practice squad and released wide receiver Donte Foster as a corresponding move as a precautionary move.

Bridgewater was impressive in his first career start, going 19 of 30 for 317 yards. He's only the second quarterback in NFL history to throw for 300 yards without an interception in his first start. Bridgewater also had five carries for 27 yards, including a 13-yard run for his first career touchdown.

"I've been saying it for a long time watching him practice and in the preseason games, he just gets the ball out and throws a nice, tight ball," Zimmer said. "He's accurate, makes quick decisions."