Bridgewater confident in return this year
After nearly 14months 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.
The 24-year- old quarterback said his knee was feeling fine after completion of his first practice, though he hasn’t taken any hits.
Bridgewater will be brought along slowly, real- izing his return to the field this week did not signify an automatic assumption of the starting job. Bridgewater acknowledged he’ll need to prove to himself and to the teamthat he can complete some basic skills without problem in live action. Simulating the movements off to the side is another story.
“I’mgoing to have to see how I feel going forward. It could be just completing a pass down the field ormaking a sudden movement in the pocket,” he said. “So I’m just going to look for
little things each day to do whatever I can to get back to where I was before, and even better.” DIFFERENT VIEWS OF PATRIOTS-FALCONS REMATCH
» The score 28-3 will forever live in infamy for the Atlanta Falcons. For the New England Patriots it’s a shining symbol. That’s the 25-point deficit they overcame in February on their way to posting the largest comeback win in Super Bowl history in the first Super Bowl that went to overtime.
For the Falcons it repre- sents the seemingly insurmountable lead they squandered on the NFL’s biggest stage.
As the teams prepared for Sunday night’s rematch, their approaches were as different as the feelings they left the field with eight months ago.
The Patriots (4-2) tried their best to downplay the historic victory, which has spawned countless internet memes, commemorative Tshirts, and endless jokes at the Falcons’ expense.
The Falcons (3-2) have no desire to relive that night, of course, though they are aware of its presence as they head into New England. Atlanta coach Dan Quinn acknowledged the topic has come up on a few occasions since his team trudged off the field in Houston.
Winston isn’t throwing in practice >> 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, saying Winston instead will work with the first-team offense on Friday. Winston, who has a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, was listed as “limited” in practice for the second straight day. BUTT AT PRACTICE » Jake Butt, the versatile tight end fromMichigan, blew out his right knee against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Unlike several other teams who felt Butt would basically need a redshirt year in the pros, the Broncosmedical staff was confident he’d be back by midseason. More than nine months after undergoing surgery to repair his tornACL, Buttmade his practice debut this week, but it’s almost certain he won’t play Sunday against the Chargers. ROOKIE ALLEN HAS FOOT SURGERY » Rookie defensive lineman Jonathan Allen isn’t returning toWashington’s lineup any time soon. The team put the first-round pick on injured reserve after he underwent surgery to repair a Lisfranc sprain in his left foot. Coach Jay Gruden said there’s “absolutely” a chance Allen can return this season despite the usually long timeframe to get back from this kind of operation. Allen, the 17th overall pick out of Alabama, played well in his first five NFL games, registering 10 tackles and a sack and providing plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. BILLS CLAIM, THEN WAIVE FORMER RAIDERS LINEBACKER » The Buffalo Bills have designated linebacker Tyrell Adams as being waived/injured a day after he was claimed off of waivers. Adams had been claimed by Buffalo after the second-year player was released by the Raiders after the team signed veteran linebacker NaVorro Bowman. FOURNETTE EXPECTS TO PLAY » Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette says his ankle feels good and he “most definitely” will be healthy enough to play Sunday at Indianapolis. Fournette missed practice because of a sprained right ankle.