EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Mike Zimmer said he was being facetious when he gave a six-week timeline for Sam Bradford's return from a knee injury after the Minnesota Vikings' 26-9 loss in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
And although much remains unknown about the quarterback's status, the Vikings coach said Bradford was feeling better Monday and that he is "probably day-to-day."
"I don't have a crystal ball," Zimmer said. "When he's ready, he's going to play. I don't think it's going to be a long-term thing, but honestly I have no idea, just like I have no idea about Teddy [Bridgewater]."
Zimmer apologized for his curt responses to reporters' questions Sunday evening that left room to speculate about when Bradford would be back under center. The coach revealed then that the injury to Bradford's left knee would not require surgery but that he could be back anywhere from one to six weeks.
"Sometimes after the game I'm upset, and I know our fans deserve better than that," Zimmer said. "They didn't have any wine for me in the locker room to chill out a little bit. Where I get frustrated is I want to protect my players. I'm never going to put a player out on the field that cannot take care of himself."
The Vikings coach said he thought Bradford had a chance to play in Week 2 until the quarterback went through a light pregame workout in which he wasn't able to do much to test the strength of his knee. When asked whether he knew when the injury might have occurred during the team's Week 1 win against the New Orleans Saints, Zimmer said Bradford "felt it one time on a play," but that didn't lead to any major concern.
Contrary to what he said Sunday, Zimmer does not believe that the injury and subsequent swelling are related to either of the two surgeries Bradford had to repair a torn ACL in the same knee in 2013 and in '14.
"I think he twisted it or something during the [Saints] game," he said. "I don't think it has anything to do with the surgeries."
Zimmer remains optimistic about a return sooner rather than later but did not say whether he expects Bradford to be back for the Week 3 game against Tampa Bay. The coach added that he doesn't anticipate needing to sign another quarterback before Bradford returns.
"I anticipate that when he's ready to practice and he's ready to play, that he will play," Zimmer said. "Honestly, I don't have a crystal ball. Wish I did. I'd call some games better."