Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford returns to practice

After missing the last three games, Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was able to step on the practice field on Thursday.

Since being ruled just prior to kickoff of Week 2, Sam Bradford has been mostly trending the wrong way with his left knee injury. A visit to Dr. James Andrews heading into Week 3 ruled out surgery, and Bradford didn’t practice at all last week.

The Vikings are 1-2 with Case Keenum as their starting quarterback, which is about what was expected. Bradford’s status has been tabbed as a day-to-day/week-to-week proposition by Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, and on Monday Zimmer suggested Bradford has a chance to play next Monday night against the Chicago Bears.

To that end, with an extra day between games, Bradford was expected to practice on Thursday. He reportedly did so, and there’s also some visual evidence.

Bradford was officially listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, which is not surprising. Swelling and pain have been the main reported issues with his knee, so how the injury responds to an increased level of activity and what reports say on Friday will be worth watching. Zimmer has expressed some frustration with players returning from injuries too slowly for his taste in the past, and reading between the lines Bradford’s is not unique in that way.

The Vikings don’t play well at Soldier Field, and it was a house of horrors for them on Halloween night last year. Bradford went 23-for-37 for 223 yards and a touchdown, while taking five sacks, in a 20-10 loss to the Bears. That was also a Monday night game, just like this week.

Next: NFL Lines, Week 5: 5 best bets

The Vikings don’t have to file an official injury report until Saturday, and the best case for Bradford looks like it will be a questionable listing. He could also be ruled out between now and then, but it at least appears Bradford is nearing a return.