It's been more than 12 months (442 days, to be exact) since the Vikings' 2014 first-round draft pick was on the field. Teddy Bridgewater completed 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in the third preseason game of the 2016 season. It's been a long journey for No 5. Here's a breakdown of the big events during that span (Note: each dot represents one day).
Day 1 (Aug. 28): Bridgewater plays in final game before injury.
Day 3 (Aug. 30): The QB suffers career-threatening injury to left knee.
Day 7 (Sept. 3): Vikings trade for Sam Bradford.
Day 12 (Sept. 8): Bridgewater has knee surgically repaired in Dallas.
Sept. 11 (Day 15): Start of Vikings 2016 regular season.
Day 43 (Oct. 9): Vikings win 5th straight to start season.
Day 78 (Nov. 13): Vikings lose 4th straight, fall to 5-4.
Day 127 (Jan. 1): Vikings end regular season 8-8, miss the playoffs.
Day 213 (March 28): Bridgewater post a video on social media of him dropping back and passing.
Day 216 (March 31): Reports surface that Case Keenum will sign with Vikings.
Day 247 (May 1): Vikings declined the fifth-year option on Bridgewater's contract.
Day 333 (July 26): Vikings place Bridgewater on PUP list.
Day 380 (Sept. 11): Bradford throws for 346 yards and 3 scores in season opener.
Day 386 (Sept. 17): Keenum starts first game for the Vikings after Bradford gets injured.
Day 415 (Oct. 16): Zimmer announces Bridgewater has been medically cleared to practice.
Day 417 (Oct. 18): Bridgewater returns to practice.
Day 438 (Wednesday): Vikings announce Bridgewater has returned to the active roster.
Day 442 (today): Bridgewater will suit up for his first game since last August.
