Vikings news: Mike Zimmer says Sam Bradford's knee is 'degenerative'

Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer referred to quarterback Sam Bradford's knee as degenerative, and that he doesn't know whether he could last a full season.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford played just two games in 2017 as his troublesome knee acted up again and prevented him from playing any further part in the season. It’s also that knee that’s the big red flag likely keeping the Vikings from committing to him as the team’s starting quarterback for next season.

When asked what the concern medically about Bradford’s knee, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer referred to it as “degenerative,” making it tough to determine whether he could last an entire season.

Asked Zimmer about the level concern medically with Sam Bradford. He referred to Bradford’s knee as degenerative but also said Bradford was skiing last week. Getting through a full season is the unknown.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 1, 2018

It obviously doesn’t bode well for Bradford’s chances of getting that Vikings job next season when his own head coach admits his knee is in such bad shape that it makes him too unreliable to play for a whole campaign. Although, he can’t be completely ruled out because question marks are also present in his two closest challengers, Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater.

Despite Keenum leading the Vikings to a 12-3 record and taking them to the NFC Championship Game, Zimmer still wasn’t completely convinced that he’s quite good enough to repeat that feat next season.

Can Keenum repeat his 2017 breakout? Zimmer: “You think he can, but it’s just kind of guessing.” Noted they had a good team around him.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 1, 2018

As for Bridgewater, he’s coming off a major knee injury himself and it remains to be seen whether he’s capable of returning to the form he showed when he led the Vikings to the playoffs in 2015.

If the Vikings don’t enter or win the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes nor take a flyer on someone in the draft, Bradford could still end up being a legitimate and relatively cheap option, “degenerative” knee and all. It’s obviously not an ideal situation for a team with hopes of making it to the Super Bowl, but it could be their reality.