Bridgewater eyes return

Vikings QB back at practice 14 months after knee injury.

After nearly 14 months of arduous rehabilitation for his left knee, Teddy Bridgewater has arrived at the final stage.

For all the progress he’s made, appearing in a game for the Minnesota Vikings again will be no small step to take.

“I definitely believe I’ll play this year, but I can’t just sit here and say it,” Bridgewater said.

“I have to continue to put the work in on the practice field and show the training staff or the higher authority that eventually I can get back to the player that I was.”

Bridgewater spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since the beginning of training camp and only the second time since he crumpled to the grass during a non-contact drill at practice Aug. 30, 2016.

He was cleared to rejoin the team Wednesday, another significant milestone in his recovery from the knee dislocation and multiple ligament tears that would end the career of many players.

“If that doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will,” wide receiver Stefon Diggs said.

The 24-year-old quarterback said his knee was feeling fine after completion of his first practice, though he hasn’t taken any hits.

“It’s baby steps,” offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said. “A little bit at a time. We try to amp it up a little bit each day as we go.”

Bridgewater will be brought along slowly, realizing his return to the field this week did not signify an automatic assumption of the starting job.

“We have to be smart with everything,” Bridgewater said. “The plan is to get to the race to be able to run the race. So if we’re not being smart, and I’m not doing whatever it takes to get to

the race, I’ll never be able to run the race.”

Buccaneers: Jameis Winston says his injured right shoulder is “getting better every single day,” however the Tampa Bay quarterback still isn’t throwing in practice.

The Buccaneers decided against the third-year pro testing his arm Thursday, saying Winston instead will work with the first-team offense today. Winston, who has a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, was listed as “limited” in practice for the second straight day.

Redskins: Placed rookie defensive lineman Jonathan Allen on injured reserve after undergoing foot surgery. Coach Jay Gruden says there’s “absolutely” a chance Allen returns this season. The Redskins now have Allen and kicker Dustin Hopkins on IR and by NFL rules can bring up to two players back before the season is over.

Gruden said the team got good news after Allen’s surgery to repair a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot.

A.J. Francis was signed

to the practice squad and then the active roster to fill Allen’s spot.

Panthers: Could be without two key players when they visit the Bears. Threetime All-Pro middle linebacker Luke Kuechly missed his third straight day of practice with a concussion while wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin missed a second consecutive day of practice with inflammation in his left knee.

Meantime, quarterback Cam Newton declined to speak to reporters for the second consecutive day. Team spokesman Steven Drummond said the former league MVP gave no explanation as to why he wouldn’t participate in his weekly news conference. NFL players are subject to fines for not talking to the media.

Jaguars: Running back Leonard Fournette said his ankle feels good and he “most definitely” will be healthy enough to play Sunday at Indianapolis.

Fournette missed a second consecutive practice Thursday because of a sprained

right ankle. The rookie expects to do “cutting and stuff ” today before coach Doug Marrone decides his status against the Colts.

Fournette ranks second in the NFL with 596 yards. He also has seven touchdowns, which is tied for the league lead.

Receiver Marqise Lee (knee) and center Brandon Linder (illness) also missed practice Thursday.

Jets: Running back Bilal Powell is expected to play at Miami on Sunday after practicing fully for the first time since straining a calf muscle nearly two weeks ago.

Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson remained sidelined from practice, dealing with a sprained shoulder and a foot ailment.

Lions: Signed defensive end Jacquies Smith and offensive tackle Bryce Harris. Detroit also brought back quarterback Brad Kaaya off waivers from the Panthers.

Falcons: Signed defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, a former starter with Cleveland and Seattle.

AP Chiefs seek 13th straight AFC West win Chiefs rookie Kareem Hunt (27) is stopped by the Raiders during Thursday’s game in Oakland. Subscribers can find the result from the late game in their ePaper.