Mike Zimmer: 'No doubt' Teddy Bridgewater starts vs. Raiders

By foxsports
Published

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer is fully expecting to have quarterback Teddy Bridgewater available when his team takes on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

According to Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Zimmer said he has “no doubt” about Bridgewater making it through the NFL’s concussion protocol and playing Sunday. The second-year quarterback was a full participant at Thursday’s practice, although it’s still unknown if he’s passed every step in the protocol.

Bridgewater suffered his concussion on a penalized hit from St. Louis Rams safety LaMarcus Joyner last Sunday. He appeared to briefly lose consciousness after Joyner hit him during his attempt to slide down after a scramble. The Vikings removed him from the game and he did not return.

Minnesota went on to win in overtime with backup Shaun Hill under center.

Only a setback between now and Sunday would keep Bridgewater from making his ninth start of the season and setting up a tasty matchup of young quarterbacks.

Bridgewater and fellow 2014 draft pick Derek Carr are both leading ascending franchises. While Bridgewater has the Vikings at 6-2 and atop the NFC North, Carr has in the top five of the NFL for passing touchdown and passer rating for the 4-4 Raiders.

The Vikings are currently pegged as underdogs for the road trip to Oakland. Having a healthy Bridgewater should improve Minnesota’s chances of beating the Vegas odds and getting to 7-2.

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