Sam Bradford was held out of Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a knee injury, but the good news is he reportedly is not dealing with any ligament damage.
A source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that Bradford suffered a bone bruise in his left knee during the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints. The team is planning to give him an injection and see how he responds.
#Vikings QB Sam Bradford is believed to have a bone bruise, source said. They'll see how his knee responds to an injection and go from there
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 18, 2017
One Vikings player said Bradford joined the offense for a team meeting on Monday and was in good spirits.
#Vikings RB Latavius Murray told me Sam Bradford was in meeting today, spirits seem to be high. Mike Zimmer hasn't broached status with team
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 18, 2017
For someone who tore the ACL in his left knee in 2013 and again in 2014, that is certainly good news. Bone bruises can be extremely painful, but ligament damage would be a far bigger concern for Bradford’s long-term availability.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer gave an update on Bradford’s status after Sunday’s loss, and some may have interpreted it as bad news. Despite that, it sounds like the quarterback has a legitimate chance to play in Week 3.
