Teddy Bridgewater will play week after sustaining concussion

SAN FRANCISCO -- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who sustained a concussion Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, has been cleared and is ready to play against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, according to a league source.

Bridgewater was a full participant in practice Friday, and though he still needed to be cleared through the final step of the NFL's concussion protocol, coach Mike Zimmer said he had "no doubts" Bridgewater would play.

On Saturday, the source said Bridgewater is "all set."

The quarterback took an elbow to the head from Rams defensive back Lamarcus Joyner while he was trying to slide at the end of a run Sunday. Zimmer called the hit a cheap shot and criticized Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams for his team's style of play after the game, adding Monday that he also was upset about William Hayes' low hit on Bridgewater. Joyner was fined $23,152 for hitting a defenseless player; Hayes was not fined for his hit.

Bridgewater seemed in good spirits after the game, joking with teammates in the locker room and celebrating the Vikings' overtime win with family and friends at dinner. Zimmer said Monday that Bridgewater already had passed the first step of the league's concussion protocol, adding, "He should be good to go."

The quarterback's return would help a Vikings team trying to win a nonconference road game for the first time since 2012. The 6-2 Vikings are tied for first in the NFC North and will face the Green Bay Packers in Week 11 after they return home from the West Coast.