NFL Player News

Bridgewater (concussion) is active for Sunday's contest at Oakland, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports.

Emerging from the concussion protocol in short order, Bridgewater will extend his consecutive starts streak to 20 games, as he takes on a Raiders defense that has surrendered multiple touchdown passes in seven of eight games this season.

Bridgewater (concussion) will start Sunday against the Raiders, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Bridgewater, who is officially listed as questionable, suffered the concussion just last Sunday, but he cleared through the league's concussion protocol rather quickly and will give it a go Sunday instead of Shaun Hill, who came on last week when Bridgewater was knocked out.

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has cleared concussion protocol and is prepared to start against the Raiders on Sunday, Ben Goessling of ESPN.com reports.

Goessling didn't outright declare Bridgewater the starter, however his source did suggest he was "all set" to go against the Raiders -- a report that seems to be in line with head coach Mike Zimmer's comments Friday, in which he admitted he had no doubt the Louisville alum would start Sunday. The official announcement regarding his playing status will likely come prior to kickoff, but for now it seems Bridgewater will be good to go against Oakland.

New Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter claims that Stafford has not struggled to absorb Detroit's scheme, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Rumors that Stafford couldn't handle former offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's scheme never really rang true as Stafford was being credited for playing some of the most disciplined football of his career in 2014 with Lombardi calling plays. Stafford is on pace to complete the highest percentage of passes in his career, but curiously also set a career high in turnovers while seeing his passing yards reduced for the fourth consecutive season. It seems more likely that Stafford, and the Lions' offense as a whole, is suffering from a rushing attack that is gaining 13 fewer yards than the next poorest running game in the league and pass protectors that are on pace to allow 44 sacks, both of which are unlikely to be hidden by a new playcaller.

Bridgewater (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game in Oakland, but head coach Mike Zimmer said he has no doubt the second-year quarterback will start, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Although the Vikings don't seem too concerned, Bridgewater still hadn't passed through the NFL's concussion protocol as of early Friday afternoon. It sounds as if Bridgewater is no longer dealing with concussion symptoms, but he'll still need to be cleared by an independent neurologist. Assuming that happens, the young signal-caller should enjoy his Week 10 matchup with the dreadful Oakland secondary. If Bridgewater unexpectedly can't play, Shaun Hill will get the start.

Taylor completed 17 of 27 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown, with 12 yards on six carries in Thursday's 22-17 win over the Jets.

Taylor played one of his lesser games in an otherwise impressive season, but he at least avoided any critical mistakes, which allowed the Buffalo running game, special teams and defense to lead the way to a victory. A lack of volume has arguably been the biggest issue for Taylor's owners, and while the Bills aren't going to deviate from their run-first mentality, a Week 11 road game in Foxboro will likely require more passing. Taylor had 242 passing yards, 43 rushing yards and four total touchdowns in a 40-32 Week 2 loss to the Patriots.

With EJ Manuel inactive for Thursday's game at the Jets, Johnson will serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind Tyrod Taylor.

We're not sure if the Bills are just about done with Manuel and his inconsistent play or if Johnson - signed as a free agent a month ago - has started showing enough in practices that the Bills decided to make a change in the pecking order. For now, if your league goes deep enough to where backup quarterbacks matter, Johnson looks like the direct insurance behind the surprisingly capable Taylor.

The Colts have claimed Whitehurst off waivers from the Titans.

With Andrew Luck sidelined, Whitehurst is in line to serve in a backup capacity for the Colts behind Matt Hasselbeck, who is slated to fill in for Luck.

Bridgewater (concussion) was a full practice participant Thursday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Vikings, and head coach Mike Zimmer in particular, have been positive throughout Bridgewater's brief recovery from the concussion suffered in Week 9. Bridgewater backed it up by clearing enough hurdles to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday, and just one day later, he was unleashed in all portions, implying that he's already emerged from the protocol for head injuries. While the team will surely announce as much by week's end, it's no longer a stretch to assume that Bridgewater will be under center Sunday at Oakland.

Bridgewater passed enough of the tests in the concussion protocol to practice on a limited basis Wednesday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Earlier Wednesday, head coach Mike Zimmer relayed that Bridgewater was "progressing nicely" through his head injury, and that was seemingly confirmed during the practice session to follow. Still, the vaunted examination with an independent neurologist lays in Bridgewater's path, which must be cleared before he can return to the field. An absence Sunday in Oakland would place the Shaun Hill under center.