PITTSBURGH -- Despite a 26-9 penalty-filled loss Sunday at Heinz Field, Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer revealed a silver lining postgame regarding the health of quarterback Sam Bradford.
The injury to Bradford's left knee -- the one that rendered him inactive for Sunday's game -- will not require the quarterback to undergo a third surgery.
"It's not surgical," Zimmer said. "He's had two surgeries on his knee. Sometimes it swells up."
Zimmer said Friday that he anticipated that Bradford would be ready to start Sunday after being limited in practice all week. Although that wasn't the case, Zimmer said nothing changed over the past two days in regard to Bradford's status and health.
With a major concern out of the way, the Vikings will keep Bradford in the forefront going forward.
"He's going to be OK, OK?" Zimmer said. "Sam will be the quarterback, and he's going to be OK."
When he'll be ready to come back remains in question.
"Maybe," Zimmer said when asked whether Bradford will be ready to go for Week 3 against Tampa Bay. "Maybe the next week. Maybe six weeks from now. He's going to be OK. It's a non-surgical issue."
In Bradford's place, Case Keenum completed 20 of 37 passes for 167 yards, 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions against the Steelers.