Vikings notes: Bridgewater questionable but Zimmer expects him to play

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Oakland because of a concussion. He was a full participant in practice Friday, although coach Mike Zimmer said Bridgewater had not been officially cleared under the league's concussion protocol.

But Zimmer still sounds certain Bridgewater will play in Oakland.

"I don't have any doubts,'' the coach said.

Bridge­water suffered his concussion in the fourth quarter of last weekend's 21-18 victory over the St. Louis Rams. He was shouldered in the helmet by Rams rookie cornerback Lamarcus Joyner, who was fined $23,152 this week for the hit by the NFL.

Outside linebacker Anthony Barr, who sustained a left hand injury against St. Louis, practiced for the first time Friday. He is listed as questionable, but it appears he will play, likely with at least a soft cast to protect his hand.

Linebacker Eric Kendricks (ribs) did some work Friday and traveled with the team to the West Coast on Friday, but he is listed as doubtful and could miss his second straight game since being injured against Chicago on Nov. 1.

That means the Vikings probably will line up with Chad Greenway in the middle and Barr and Brandon Watts on the outside. Watts would get his first NFL start; he was active all last season but appeared in only two games.

"But you can't put your head down, dwell on it," Watts said. "You have to just keep working, keep moving forward, take the positives out of everything. Now look where I'm at.''

Jason Trusnik was happy to be home in Charlotte, N.C., five weeks ago when his third child, daughter Tatum, was born. But he was also on the NFL unemployment rolls, waiting for a phone call from a team in need of a veteran linebacker.

That call came Tuesday, and the 31-year-old who said his "forte" is playing special teams joined his fifth NFL team since he entered the league in 2007 as an undrafted free agent.

"I was pretty excited," Trusnik said. "I've heard nothing but good things about this locker room and the coaching staff."

Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards was Trusnik's linebackers coach in Miami in 2012 and 2013.

Trusnik spent time with his wife and kids in Charlotte after Carolina cut him at the end of training camp.

"I knew it wasn't the end [of my career]; I was just waiting for the right opportunity," said Trusnik.

"My forte in the NFL is special teams, that's how I got into the league, starting on special teams, working my way up. From team to team, everyone has a little different scheme, different thoughts and ideas from coach to coach, team to team, but the idea is to fly around the field and get to the ball, so I'm pretty confident I know how to do that."

• Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (knee/ankle) looks set to return after missing the past three games, but defensive end Justin Trattou (foot) will miss his sixth consecutive game.

• Punt returner Marcus Sherels (shoulder) was a limited participant Friday and is questionable.

• Tight end Chase Ford, cut to make room for Trusnik, was added to the practice squad Friday. Safety Brock Vereen, a former Gopher who started the season with Chicago, was released.

Staff writer Chris Miller contributed to this story.