Bridgewater says dream is 'still alive', can't wait to get back on field with Vikings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (KMSP) - Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater says he "can't wait" to get back on the field with his team this Sunday. 

The Vikings reactivated Bridgewater to the 53-man roster on this week, 15 months after a knee injury that had the potential to end his career. 

“The hard part is out of the way,” Bridgewater told reporters on Thursday. “But, I’m still going to continue to make improvements and get better health-wise and try to be the best teammate I can be. I can’t wait to get out there Sunday with the guys and get that feeling of coming out of the locker room preparing for a game, preparing to play and things like that.” 

His teammates say he has worked incredibly hard to get back on the field. He started the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but was cleared to start practicing last month. 

“Once I get out there in-between those lines, I have no regrets, no doubt,” Bridgewater said. “I’m just out there living my dream, continuing to live my dream. There was a time when the dream may have ended, may have died, but the dream is still alive.” 

Bridgewater says his injury and the recovery process have taught him to appreciate the small things. 

“There was a time when I couldn’t even put my pants on by myself or couldn’t even walk," he said. "To be able to stand right here and do an interview or to be able to practice later today, that makes you appreciate the smaller things.” 

Head Coach Mike Zimmer says Bridgewater is 100 percent ready to go physically, but it is still unclear when he will play. 

“I’m just going to take it one day at a time,” Bridgewater said. “Right now, we’re playing some good football and me coming back, I just want to be the best teammate I can be."

For now, Bridgewater will backup Case Keenum, who gets his seventh start this season on Sunday against the Washington Redskins. 

“I’m excited, excited to be a part of it,” Bridgewater said. “I can’t wait.”

Kickoff is at noon at FedEx Field.