Vikings notes: Bridgewater ready for chilly weather

Oh, the weather outside is frightful in the NFC North, and rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater could experience playing in freezing temperatures for the first time Sunday.

Early forecasts say the temperature will be in the low 30s when the Chicago Bears host the Vikings at Soldier Field this weekend. Mother Nature, though, apparently will let it snow another day — likely in the near future with four outdoor games remaining at TCF Bank Stadium.

Still, even sans snow, it will be unfamiliar conditions for Bridgewater, who hasn't played in many cold-weather games, having grown up in Miami and attended college at Louisville. His coldest collegiate start was a 34-degree game against Connecticut in 2012, according to ESPN.

That lack of exposure to cold weather, along with Bridgewater's substandard hand size and unexceptional arm strength, led some draft analysts to question whether he would be a good fit for northern teams that at times have to deal with freezing temperatures, snow and swirling winds.

Bridgewater, however, doesn't believe that the NFC North-caliber cold will affect him.

"I'm feeling very confident," Bridgewater said. "I know that's going to be different, but it's all a mental thing. Our coaches are doing a great job of preparing us for these next couple games down the stretch, and I think we're going to be ready to go."

On Monday and Wednesday, the Vikings had to practice inside as they waited for their outdoor practice fields at Winter Park to thaw out and for their new heating system for the outdoor fields to arrive on a boat from England.

Bridgewater, though, doesn't seem to be concerned about the early weather reports for Sunday. He believes he will be able to block out the cold by wearing the proper equipment, which of course will include the two gloves that also were scrutinized by analysts before the draft.

"We have hand warmers and things like that that allow me to keep my hands warm," Bridgewater said. "I'll continue to just go out there, wear my gloves and play football."

Tight end Kyle Rudolph practiced in pads Wednesday for the first time since his September sports hernia surgery and also sat through game plan meetings for the first time since Week 3.

"I still have a long way to go before Sunday. I still have a lot of stuff that for me personally I'd like to get better at and improve on," Rudolph said. "But I'm happy where we're at right now."

While Rudolph is "excited to be back," Zimmer said the Vikings want to see how Rudolph fares throughout the week of practice before officially saying whether he will play Sunday. Rudolph was limited Wednesday.

Sunday, the Vikings will reunite with Jared Allen, their former teammate who signed as a free agent with the Bears in the offseason.

Count Everson Griffen, who replaced Allen as starting right defensive end after backing him up for his first four seasons, among the many Vikings who are looking forward to seeing him.

"He was a mentor to me while I was here," Griffen said. "He taught me a lot of things, and I love the guy. He's not only a great player, he's a great person, too."

• Tight end Chase Ford (foot) was the only other Vikings player listed on the injury report. He was a full participant Wednesday.

• The Vikings re-signed tight end Ryan Otten to the practice squad to replace tight end RaShaun Allen, who joined the Seattle Seahawks.