Vikings activate Bradford from IR

Minnesota activated quarterback Sam Bradford from injured reserve, putting their original starter this season on the roster before their game Sunday against New Orleans.

The Vikings waived tight end Kyle Carter Saturday to make room for Bradford, who previously played Oct. 9 at Chicago and returned to practice last week after recovering from a left knee injury.

Bradford was stellar in the opening win against the Saints, but unable to play the following week.

Case Keenum started the next three games. Bradford was back for the Bears game, but hobbled around in the first half before being pulled for Keenum.

Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Sloter give the Vikings four quarterbacks on the active roster.

Texans

Houston hired Brian Gaine as general manager and extended the contract of coach Bill O’Brien through 2022. Gaine signed a five-year contract and O’Brien was extended for four years. Gaine brings 19 years of NFL personnel experience to Houston. He spent the 2017 season as the Buffalo Bills’ vice president of player personnel. He also served as the Texans director of player personnel from 2015-16 and director of pro personnel in 2014. Texans owner Bob McNair called Gaine an “incredibly smart, hardworking individual that understands the importance of good communication.”

Panthers

The NFL and players union continued their probe into Carolina’s’ handling of Cam Newton last weekend. League and union officials began speaking to Panthers medical personnel this week about the situation involving Newton, who stumbled near the sideline after taking a hit to the head in the fourth quarter of the Saints’ 31-26 wild-card victory. Newton was checked for a concussion in the medical tent behind the Panthers bench, but was cleared to return. The NFL’s enhanced concussion protocol requires players demonstrating vertical instability after a hit to the head to be taken to the locker room to be evaluated. Newton said after the game his head was fine, but he was having problems with his eye after his helmet slid down following the hit by Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata. A team source said Saturday that Newton also had been dealing with a knee issue that could have contributed to him stumbling to the turf.

49ers

Linebacker Reuben Foster is free on bond after his arrest in Alabama on a charge of possession of marijuana. The Tuscaloosa News reported the 23year-old, who just finished his rookie season, was arrested Friday. “The San Francisco 49ers organization is aware of the matter involving Reuben Foster and we are currently gathering all relevant facts,” a team statement said.