EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings made a lot of news at the quarterback position Wednesday when they activated Teddy Bridgewater from the physically unable to perform list and placed Sam Bradford on injured reserve.
But, for now at least, little old under-the-radar Case Keenum remains the starter.
The guy who has played all but six quarters on a team that’s 6-2 and leads the NFC North by two games, will start at Washington on Sunday, head coach Mike Zimmer announced on Wednesday.
Asked how the he will distribute the first-team reps in practice this week, Zimmer said: “Pretty much the same way we’ve been doing it all along. (Bridgewater) gets a few every period. Just trying to get him up to speed as fast as possible.”
Zimmer said Bridgewater, who hasn’t played since suffering his horrific left knee injury a week before the 2016 season, is “doing excellent.
“He’s moved well, thrown the ball well, good accuracy. He hasn’t had training camp. He hasn’t done anything. We’re just trying to get him to where everybody feels comfortable with him.”
Meanwhile, the real news heading into Week 10 is how few headlines the offensive line is creating. A year ago, the Vikings slid from 5-0 to 8-8 in part because injuries forced them to use 12 linemen including five left tackles.
This year, with a line that includes four new starters, the Vikings have an offense that’s functional whether it’s Bradford or Keenum running the show.
Left tackle Riley Reiff has been even better than expected when he was signed as a free agent from Detroit. He has started every game and hasn’t allowed a sack yet.
The line also has been deep. Three players — Nick Easton, Jeremiah Sirles and rookie Danny Isadora — have started at left guard during the team’s four-game win streak.
Last year’s line was the biggest weakness on the team when it headed to Washington for a Week 10 meeting, which the Redskins won 26-20. This year, the line is one of the greatest strengths on the team as it heads once again to Washington in Week 10.
A year ago at this time, the Vikings had allowed 21 sacks on 276 pass attempts. This year, they’ve allowed 10 sacks with 277 pass attempts.
A year ago at this time, the Vikings were averaging 2.7 yards per rush and 72.6 per game. This year, they’re averaging 4.0 per carry and 120.0 per game.
Meanwhile, it’s the Redskins who are experiencing a rash of injuries on the offensive line. In fact, they’re down to their third left tackle, T.J. Clemmings. A year ago, he was part of the Vikings’ offensive line mess.
SERIES HISTORY: 21st regular-season meeting. Series tied, 10-10. The Vikings are 6-5 at Washington. The teams have played five postseason games, with Washington winning three of them. The most famous — or infamous if you’re a Vikings fan — was Washington’s 17-10 victory in the NFC title game at Washington during the 1987 season. The Vikings had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds, but running back Darrin Nelson dropped a short pass from Wade Wilson that would have been a touchdown. The teams met last year in Washington. The Redskins won 26-20.
–Back in Week 2, the Vikings thought quarterback Sam Bradford just tweaked his left knee and would be fine for Week 3. On Wednesday, eight weeks later, Bradford was placed on injured reserve after having the knee “cleaned out” during an arthroscopic procedure.
“It’s disappointing,” head coach Mike Zimmer said. “The guy worked extremely hard to try and get back. He spent a whole bunch of his own money trying everything to get back and it just didn’t work out. Hopefully we’ll be able to get him back when he gets healthy.”
Zimmer said Bradford returning for the playoffs is “a possibility.” But it’s unlikely. Bradford had ACL surgery on the knee in 2013 and 2014. He’s not under contract for next season.
Bradford finished the season opener, posting a career-high 143.0 passer rating. But he was unable to play the following week at Pittsburgh. He started at Chicago in Week 5, but lasted less than one half when it became clear that he was unable to protect himself on the busted knee.
“It was just lingering,” Zimmer said. “We thought it was going to be a one-week deal, then it was two, then it was three, and then it was eight. Nothing else was working. We had to try something.”
As for Bradford’s future with the team, Zimmer said, “I don’t know. I have an outstanding relationship with Sam. He is a great person, heck of a quarterback. We don’t know where he’s at with his knee. I haven’t talked to him about anything about next year. We’re just thinking about this year. I love the kid. Great kid, great competitor. It was disappointing we had him for one game, but that’s life.”
–Quarterback Case Keenum has been sacked only five times in 7 1/2 games. He’s 4-2 as a starter and came on in relief to win another game at Chicago.
Asked if being sacked only five times has helped extend the “clock in his head” when it comes to holding the ball against NFL defenses, he smiled and said, “Yeah. When you’re getting the crap knocked out of you, it makes you throw the ball quicker. But I’ve been able to hold the ball and let plays develop.”
NOTES: MLB Eric Kendricks has led the Vikings in tackles since being drafted in the second round in 2015. He has 61 tackles this year, and is a big reason the Vikings lead the NFL in allowing the fewest runs of 10 yards or more. They’ve given up nine of them. The next closest is Tennessee with 15. … K Kai Forbath has made 36 of 37 field-goal attempts in his 15 games as a Viking. He’s 21 of 22 this year. But he’s also made only 23 of 30 extra points as a Viking, including 12 of 16 this year. … CB Terence Newman, a former Cowboy, has nine career interceptions against the Redskins. That’s the most he has against a single team. He has intercepted five different Washington quarterbacks. He had a career-high three picks in one game against Washington as a rookie in 2003. … RT Mike Remmers, who suffered a concussion early in the Browns game before the bye, did not practice on Wednesday. If he can’t play Sunday, Rashod Hill, the team’s swing tackle, will start. Hill has proven to be a solid backup at both tackle spots. … DE Everson Griffen didn’t practice Wednesday because of a foot injury. He’s expected to play on Sunday. If he can’t, the Vikings can move Danielle Hunter to right end and start veteran Brian Robison. … LG Nick Easton, whose calf injury caused him to miss the three games right before the bye, was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. … QB Teddy Bridgewater, who was activated from PUP on Wednesday, was on the injury report has having full participation in Wednesday’s practice.
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