Vikings coach unsure about Bradford’s return

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer believes that Sam Bradford’s injured left knee is getting better. Zimmer is not sure when it will improve enough to allow the team’s starting quarterback to return to the field.

Zimmer tried to be a little more forthcoming Monday about Bradford’s health, a day after some ornery and curt answers only seemed to add more confusion to the situation. He said that he did not believe Bradford’s injury would be long term, but said there was no timeline for the former Oklahoma and Putnam City North star’s return.

“I anticipate that when he is ready to practice and he is ready to play, that he will play,” Zimmer said. “Honestly, I don’t have a crystal ball. I know you guys want to ask me about all these things, but I don’t have a crystal ball. Wish I did. I’d call some games better.”

One point that Zimmer could deliver definitively: The Vikings will not be looking to bring in another quarterback to bolster the depth while Bradford works his way back. Backup Case Keenum struggled in the 26-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, going 20 for 37 for 167 yards.

Gase not discussing Timmons

Miami Dolphins coach Adam Gase is declining to discuss linebacker Lawrence Timmons’ future with the team, which may be brief.

Timmons went AWOL Saturday, the day before the Dolphins’ season opener at the Los Angeles Chargers. The Dolphins filed a missing-person report before making contact with Timmons, who apparently was dealing with a personal matter.

He wasn’t with the Dolphins at the game and didn’t fly back to South Florida on the team plane after Miami’s 19-17 win.

While Timmons wants to rejoin the team, it’s unclear whether that will happen. Gase said Monday he hadn’t talked with Timmons about the brief but untimely disappearance, and didn’t know whether the 11th-year veteran had returned to the team complex.

“I’m kind of dealing with the guys that played,” Gase said.

Trainer’s room

•The Falcons, who are off to a 2-0 start, are going to be without All-Pro edge rusher Vic Beasley for at one game and possibly three games.

Beasley suffered a hamstring stain and even if it’s the mild — grade

1 — sprain, those take up to three weeks to recover from. If Beasley has a grade 2 sprain, which is a partial tear, it would take from two to eight weeks to recover.

•Corey Coleman’s teammates hated to hear he suffered a broken bone in his right hand for the second time in less than a year. The Cleveland Browns wideout and 15th overall pick in last year’s draft had surgery on Monday, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to return to the field this season.

•New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski says the groin injury he suffered in New Orleans is not serious and pronounced himself as “day to day” regarding this week’s game against the Houston Texans.