NFL Player News

Carr acknowledges that the back injury he suffered in Week 4 of the 2017 campaign was something he had to contend with as the season progressed, CSN's Scott Bair reports. "I had to deal with it," Carr noted. "I had to do certain things to manage it, but I just didn't talk about it. I didn't want it to be an excuse."

After suffering three transverse process fractures in his back on Oct. 1, it was originally estimated that Carr would miss 2-to-4 weeks, but he only ended up sitting out one contest. Though it would be a stretch to say Carr's back issue was the only reason for his statistical regression in 2017, it certainly didn't help his cause. Looking ahead, Carr now has a full offseason to heal up, plus he's excited to work with a new head coach in Jon Gruden. Carr indicated that he wants Gruden to be tough on him, and we suspect his wish will be accommodated by the intense coach, who the signal-caller has known since the two filmed a Gruden QB Camp segment in 2014. It's also worth noting Gruden has a 10-year deal with the Raiders, which effectively ends the team's recent coaching carousel, and we'd expect the team to make some tweaks at the skill positions, possibly at running back, where Marshawn Lynch's 2018 status has yet to be cemented, according to ESPN's Paul Gutierrez.

Keenum completed 28 of 48 pass attempts for 271 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 38-7 loss to the Eagles.

Keenum struggled for much of the afternoon, completing just 58 percent of his passes for 5.6 yards per attempt. He threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Rudolph on the opening drive of the game, but he thew a pick-six later in the quarter and was intercepted again on the final possession, with the game already out of hand. Keenum put together a strong regular season, setting career highs in every single offensive category, and came within a game of leading his team to the Super Bowl. Those things should play up his value on the free-agent market, and it remains to be seen of the Vikings elect to bring him back after his breakout campaign.

Bridgewater (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's NFC championship game in Philadelphia.

Head coach Mike Zimmer has chosen Sam Bradford as the backup QB for the second consecutive contest, relegating Bridgewater to street clothes yet again.

Bradford will serve as the Vikings' backup quarterback in Sunday's NFC championship game at Philadelphia.

For the second week in a row, Bradford has usurped Teddy Bridgewater as the top reserve option to starter Case Keenum, who has handled most of the offensive snaps among Vikings QBs since Week 2.

Keenum completed 25 of 40 passes for 318 yards, one touchdown and one interception during Sunday's 29-24 NFC divisional-round victory over the Saints.

Keenum marched the Vikings' offense up and down the field throughout the first two quarters of play, setting up both Latavius Murray and Jerick McKinnon for rushing touchdowns to put Minnesota up 17-0 at half. However, the Saints' defense tightened up thereafter and Keenum couldn't get much of anything going before hitting Stefon Diggs for a 61-yard, game-winning touchdown as time expired. While it wasn't a huge statistical outing for the quarterback -- especially since the bulk of his fantasy production came on the last play of regulation -- Keenum did just enough to advance his team to next weekend's NFC championship game against the top-seeded Eagles. DFS owners considering the 29-year-old quarterback should keep in mind that Philadelphia boasted one of the NFL's best defenses during the regular season, allowing just 3.8 yards per rush (sixth lowest) and 6.5 yards per pass attempt (third lowest).

Bradford (knee) is listed as active for Sunday's playoff game against the Saints, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Bradford, who came off IR on Saturday, is thus slated to serve as Case Keenum's backup Sunday, while Teddy Bridgewater, who had worked as the team's No. 2 QB down the stretch, was made inactive by the Vikings.

Bridgewater is inactive for Sunday's playoff game against the Saints.

While Bridgewater was made inactive, fellow QB Sam Bradford is in uniform for the Vikings and will serve as Case Keenum's backup Sunday.

A strained quad hampered Mariota's mobility for the bulk of the Titans' 35-14 playoff loss to the Patriots on Saturday, ESPN's Cameron Wolfe reports.

The QB sustained the injury on a first-quarter run Saturday and the issue clearly had an impact on his ability to scramble, as well as avoid the Patriots' pass rush. Mariota, who was sacked eight times in the contest, ended up completing 22 of 37 passes for 254 yards and two TDs, while rushing four times for 37 yards. Mariota will now have the offseason to move past his current quad injury, as well as further distance himself from the hamstring, knee and shoulder woes that he contended with earlier in the 2017 campaign.

Bridgewater is expected to serve as the Vikings' No. 3 quarterback during the postseason after the team activated Sam Bradford (knee) from injured reserve Saturday, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports.

Bradford, who made two starts before moving to IR in November following a knee procedure, resumed practicing earlier this month and apparently eased any concerns the organization had about his health. While Case Keenum will retain the starting role for Minnesota's postseason opener Sunday against New Orleans, Bradford is evidently being viewed as a better insurance option than Bridgewater, who returned from his own significant knee injury earlier this season following more than a year-long recovery. With the Vikings likely preferring to have more depth on hand at other positions Sunday, there's a good chance Bridgewater and No. 4 quarterback Kyle Sloter will both be inactive for the contest.

Bradford (knee), who was activated from injured reserve Saturday, is expected to serve as the top backup to starter Case Keenum during Sunday's divisional-round matchup with the Saints, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports.

Keenum has played well enough in the starting role for the bulk of the season to prevent Bradford from reclaiming the top spot on the depth chart Sunday, and likely for the duration of the postseason, barring an injury to the former. It appears, however, that head coach Mike Zimmer views Bradford as a better insurance option at quarterback than Teddy Bridgewater, who has played just nine offensive snaps this season since returning from a severe knee injury that had sidelined him for about 14 months. If he's not pressed into postseason action, Bradford may have seen his last action with the Vikings, as he's set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.