Report: Sam Bradford expected to miss Week 3 with knee injury

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford was able to practice this week after missing Week 2 with a knee injury, but it does not sound like he will be taking the field on Sunday.

Dan Graziano of ESPN reported on Friday that Bradford is still experiencing discomfort in his knee and is not expected to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Case Keenum will likely start for a second consecutive week.

Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur hinted on Thursday that Bradford was making progress, but he apparently is not 100 percent healthy. The quarterback is said to be dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee, and those can be extremely painful.

Bradford tore the ACL in his left knee in 2013 and again in 2014, so any knee injury that holds him out multiple games is obviously a concern. However, he is reportedly not dealing with any ligament damage this time around. It’s possible the latest injury is simply an issue of pain management.

In a Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints, Bradford completed 27-of-32 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns and appeared to be firing on all cylinders with his new offense. He provided a very vague update about his status earlier in the week, and Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer has not ruled out the possibility of Bradford missing several games.