Vikings expected to place Teddy Bridgewater on the PUP list

After rumors that Bridgewater may be available before the end of the Vikings’ preseason, such a move now appears unlikely.

On Aug. 30, 2016, Minnesota Vikings fans cried out together in anguish. Teddy Bridgewater, the future of the team, suffered a serious non-contact injury that left his future career in doubt. Rumors of amputation spread like wildfire.

Fast forward to Jan. 2017. Reports came in that Bridgewater would likely miss all of the 2017 season and may not be deemed healthy enough to practice until March 2018. Then came the Vikings OTAs. Bridgewater was dropping back and throwing the football with a knee brace.

Crisis averted. It was now clear that Bridgewater was a little further ahead in his rehab schedule than had been previously thought. The idea that he may play in 2017 took off. Still, people were cautious, as just throwing the football is not the same as playing in the NFL.

Next, in an unexpected development, it was revealed that Bridgewater may not actually be in the last year of his contract, despite the Vikings declining his fifth-year option. The CBA signed by the league and the player’s association made it clear that his contract could be rolled over.

If Bridgewater started the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, he would still be under contract in 2018 for the Minnesota Vikings. At the time, this seemed like the most likely scenario, and it would certainly be a win for the team.

Well, it started that way. To begin training camp, Bridgewater was placed on the PUP list. Still, because he was placed on the list before the preseason, he could be taken off at any time prior to the regular season if he were cleared to practice. His contract would not have rolled over.

More rumors followed. A couple of weeks before training camp, he was seen doing agility drills without a brace. This set the scene. Next, just before the Vikings’ third preseason game, rumors reported by Chris Tomasson that Bridgewater would be activated soon began flying.

Then the truth hit. The day before finalized 53-man rosters were due, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network set the record straight with the following tweet.

This coincided with what Vikings head coach, Mike Zimmer, had said the same week. Zimmer said he believed Bridgewater could return in 2017.

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While this may be disappointing to many Vikings fans who wanted to see the QB play early, this is the best and most likely scenario for all parties. Bridgewater is still ahead of schedule. He also should get a fair shake at the starting quarterback role. Sam Bradford can focus on the season ahead of him. Finally, the Vikings don’t have to make the final decision on their starting quarterback right now.