BRIDGEWATER PLANNING TO PLAY THIS SEASON

MINN.» Teddy EDEN PRAIRIE, Bridgewater says he “definitely” believes he will play for the Vikings this season, after returning to practice for the first time in almost 14 months.

Bridgewater spoke to reporters Thursday for the first time since the beginning of training camp. He was cleared to rejoin the team Wednesday on the field where he dislocated his left knee and tore multiple ligaments in a noncontact drill less than two weeks before the 2016 season began.

The 24-year-old quarterback said his knee was feeling fine the day after his first practice, though he wasn’t taking any hits.

Bridgewater will be brought along slowly, realizing the return to the field this week was only one of many steps toward playing in a game again.

Super ticket plan underway.

» Now that the NFL MINNEAPOLIS is providing tickets for an entire youth football team from Minneapolis to attend the Super Bowl this winter, it’s also giving away 500 more free tickets to the game.

The Super Bowl Ticket Giveaway will be a nationwide initiative. Beginning this week and continuing throughout the season, fans will be surprised during tailgates, or at stadiums, and even at their homes. More than half the tickets (256) will be given out by NFL teams. An additional 64 will be distributed by the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award nominees.

The remaining 180 tickets will be awarded at league events such as fan forums, youth football clinics, and through social media and other channels, the NFL says.

Falcons sign Rubin, cut Tupou.

GA.» The Falcons FLOWERY BRANCH, signed defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, a former starter with Cleveland and Seattle.

The Falcons waived defensive lineman Taniela Tupou, nine days after he was signed to their active roster.

The 31-year-old Rubin was cut by Denver on Tuesday. He saw limited playing time in two games with the Broncos after signing Sept. 15. He was released by the Seahawks on cut day.

Footnotes.

Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly missed his third straight day of practice Thursday with a concussion, while wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin missed a second consecutive day of practice with inflammation in his left knee. … The Packers and Microsoft are launching a tech incubator near Lambeau Field in a $10 million partnership. For Microsoft, the project is part of an initiative the company unveiled last week in Fargo, N.D., to spur technological advances and create jobs in rural and small metropolitan areas.