Skip to content

Zimmer: Bridgewater 'progressing as well as anybody could expect'

Brace Hemmelgarn / USA TODAY Sports

After months of near silence on Teddy Bridgewater's recovery from a devastating knee injury suffered during last season's training camp, there's been a series of positive news of late.

Head coach Mike Zimmer said in early May that he's optimistic about Bridgewater's future in Minnesota. The Vikings then released a video of the young quarterback dropping back and throwing for the first time this week, and he's reportedly gained medical clearance to move to the next step of his rehab Thursday.

Zimmer continued this wave of optimism Friday. He told reporters on a conference call, as he recovers from an eighth eye surgery that's forced him to take time off away from the team, that Bridgewater's recovery has gone "as well as anybody could expect."

"I saw that tape, too," Zimmer said. "He's throwing the ball well. He's got good velocity, accurate. He's working his rear end off. It just makes you proud for him. He's still got a long ways to go. But he's progressing as well as anybody could expect, I would think."

Bridgewater dislocated his left knee and tore multiple ligaments in a non-contact drill, which gave rise to concern he'd never play football again.

The Vikings continue to be careful not to rush the 24-year-old's comeback, consistently refusing to set a timetable. Still, it appears he's making significant enough strides to give Minnesota fans hope of seeing him under center in the near future.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox