Sam Bradford returns to practice with playoff-bound Vikings

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (KMSP) - Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford returned to practice Tuesday, participating for the first time since leaving the team’s Week 5 win against the Chicago Bears. Bradford started that Monday night game, but exited the game with a left knee injury.

The Vikings have up to three weeks to make their decision on whether or not to activate Bradford and add him to the playoff roster. Case Keenum has been under center for 12 of Minnesota’s 13 wins this season, helping guide the Vikings to an NFC North championship and a first round bye.

While Bradford was out, Teddy Bridgewater has rejoined the Vikings and appears to be locked in as the No. 2 quarterback heading to the playoffs. Bridgewater has only appeared in one game this season – a blowout win at home over the Cincinnati Bengals – in which he threw two passes and kneeled down three times to run out the clock.

Bradford led the Vikings to an opening night win over the New Orleans Saints, earning NFC Player of the Week honors with his 346-yards, three-touchdown performance – arguably the best game of his career. But, he aggravated an old knee injury in the 29-19 Vikings victory. 

Bradford returned to the lineup in Week 5, but was injured again and officially placed on injured reserve when Bridgewater returned.

Case Keenum has made an argument for MVP honors with his performance this season. Keenum has thrown for 3,547 yards and 22 touchdowns with only 7 interceptions. He’s also established a great relationship with Pro Bowl-bound wide receiver Adam Thielen, who has a career-best 91 catches and 1,276 yards this year.