Sam Bradford active, will be Vikings' No. 2 QB vs. Saints
The last time the Vikings played the New Orleans Saints, Sam Bradford threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors in a 29-19 win. If the Vikings need to turn to a second quarterback in their NFC divisional playoff game against the Saints on Sunday, they’ll put Bradford on the field for the first time since Oct. 9.
Bradford, who was activated from injured reserve on Saturday, will be the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback on Sunday against the Saints. He’s practiced only six times since being placed on injured reserve on Nov. 8, and coach Mike Zimmer said Friday that Bradford “still has a long way to go.” Ultimately, though, the Vikings decided to make Bradford, not Teddy Bridgewater, their No. 2 quarterback.
Sources who were privy to the Vikings’ practices this week believed Bridgewater, not Bradford, would be the team’s backup on Sunday. Instead, Bridgewater, who started the Vikings’ most recent playoff game against the Seahawks in Jan. 2016, will watch their next one from the sideline. The Vikings had all four of their quarterbacks on the field for pregame warmups, putting Bridgewater through his full routine, but ultimately decided on Bradford.
The Vikings will also start Mike Remmers as their left guard and Rashod Hill as their right tackle, as it appeared they might do this week. Remmers is playing left guard after starting at right guard on Dec. 31 against the Chicago Bears, while the Vikings will trust Hill in pass protection at right tackle.
Here is the Vikings’ full list of inactives:
QB Teddy Bridgewater
QB Kyle Sloter
WR Stacy Coley
RB Mack Browns
G Danny Isidora
C Cornelius Edison
DE Tashawn Bower