Vikings notes: Deep passes haven't been a strength for Bridgewater

Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater hasn't thrown many passes down the field in his four NFL games, but most of the deeper throws he has attempted have resulted in missed connections.

Bridgewater has completed only four of his 11 passes thrown 20 yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage, according to Pro Football Focus. His 36.4 accuracy rate on those throws ranks 26th among NFL quarterbacks who have attempted at least five.

In the second quarter of Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Bridgewater threw a rare deep ball, taking aim at wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who was running down the left sideline. Patterson faced single coverage, but Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore was with him stride for stride and Bridgewater's pass sailed over both of their heads.

"The ball was just overthrown," Bridgewater said Wednesday. "That's going to happen throughout the course of the game. The wind factors, there are other factors that play out throughout the game. On that play, I believe it was just a ball that was overthrown."

Bridgewater did connect with wide receiver Greg Jennings and later wide receiver Jarius Wright on long third-down completions later in the game. Overall, he was 2-for-5 on throws that soared 20 yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage.

Bridgewater acknowledged that deep accuracy is something on which he can improve, but said he doesn't expect to take many shots deep downfield in this offense.

"I know that I can do much better, but at the same time, we're not going to continue to try to test our [pass] protection or anything," Bridgewater said. "We call plays designed for me to get the ball out of my hands quickly and allow our guys to make plays on the outside."

"I think they should both be fine but … we'll see," Zimmer said.

Sullivan did not practice Wednesday. Ducasse, who downplayed his injury, was a limited participant.

"I don't know how, but I just fell and fell on top of the knee," Ducasse said. "That was about it. I went to get up, and I couldn't put weight on my foot. But I'm fine."

Rookie running back Jerick Mc- Kinnon has impressed as a runner — he averages 5.1 yards per carry — and as a receiver. But pass protection has been an area in which he has struggled.

McKinnon has been used as a pass protector on 24 snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus. The website says he has been beaten for a pair of sacks and allowed five other pressures, concluding that McKinnon has been the league's leakiest back in pass protection.

"Jerick has played well. I thought he did better in pass protection last week," Zimmer said.

Tight end Kyle Rudolph was spotted on the practice field Wednesday for the first time since undergoing sports hernia surgery in September.

Rudolph stretched at the start of practice but did not participate in any drills during the portion of practice open to media. He did, however, do conditioning work off to the side.

Rudolph underwent surgery after the Week 3 loss to the New Orleans Saints. His initial timetable for a return was in six weeks. The Vikings play the Buccaneers on Sunday then the Washington Redskins in Week 9 before they get their bye week.

Zimmer, who missed practice last Friday to have a minor procedure done related to kidney stones, had his kidney stones removed on Tuesday.

"It wasn't pleasant at all," Zimmer said. "[Head athletic trainer] Eric Sugarman was talking to the team today, and I told him to get the video of the procedure that I had done to show the team. I think there would've been some [players] throwing up or something."