Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Monday that he was "hopeful" quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will be healed enough before Thursday's NFC North matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Bridgewater left Sunday's smashing debut against the Atlanta Falcons with an ankle injury that sidelined him for the final 10 offensive snaps of the victory.
Bridgewater wasn't on crutches after the game and all indications are that he should be able to play, but the short week does increase the possibility that Christian Ponder could become the Vikings' third starting quarterback in as many weeks.
With Matt Cassel already on injured reserve, the Vikings signed Chandler Harnish to the practice squad Monday as an insurance policy. Had Ponder been forced from the game Sunday, wide receiver Jairus Wright was the emergency quarterback.
Rolling his right ankle trying to score on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line was the only thing Bridgewater did wrong Sunday, as the Vikings outscored the Atlanta's No. 1-ranked scoring offense 41-28 at TCF Bank Stadium. With the offensive line dominating the Falcons up front, the Vikings posted 558 net yards, the fourth-highest total in team history, while Bridgewater completed 19 of 30 passes for 317 yards, no turnovers and a 98.9 passer rating. He also ran for a touchdown.
"It was great to get that first win, of what looks to be many more," Bridgewater said.
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When it comes to rookie debut starts by Vikings quarterbacks, Bridgewater set records for most passing yards, completions and highest passer rating. When the defense blew a 13-point lead in the third quarter, Bridgewater also became the first Vikings player to post his first career fourth-quarter comeback in his NFL starting debut.
He also showed some toughness, staying on the field for two more plays after spraining the ankle. He handed off to Matt Asiata, who scored on fourth-and-goal from the 1. Then he rolled right and hit Rhett Ellison for the two-point conversion to make it 35-28 with 10:50 left in the game.
"He's an amazing kid," Zimmer said. "I'm just glad he's on my team."
