SEATTLE (AP) — Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has returned to Minnesota this week for joint practices with the Vikings in advance of their preseason game nearly five-years after the knee injury that nearly ended his career.
Bridgewater is competing with Drew Lock to be the starter.
Bridgewater left Minnesota as a free agent after the 2017 season and has been with four other teams since then.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— Aldon Smith’s time with the Seattle Seahawks was short as the team has decided to release the embattled defensive end. Smith was reinstated by the NFL in the spring of 2020 after missing four seasons due to off-field issues. He signed a one-year deal with Seattle in April but he was arrested two days later on a second-degree battery charge in St. Bernard Parish near New Orleans.
— The Carolina Panthers have signed Josh Bynes to provide some depth at linebacker with Denzel Perryman expected to miss some time battling an injury. The 31-year-old Bynes started all 16 games last season for the Cincinnati Bengals. He has played in 117 games during his career with 63 starts, making 477 tackles and 5 1/2 sacks.
— The Indianapolis Colts have signed coach Frank Reich and general manager Chris Ballard to contract extensions through the 2026 season. The new deals come just three days after they gave star linebacker Darius Leonard a new five-year deal worth nearly $200 million and two weeks after locking up right tackle Braden Smith with a contract extension.
— Baltimore coach John Harbaugh says rookie wide receiver Rashod Bateman is expected to miss “a number of weeks” with a soft tissue leg problem. Bateman was drafted in the first round by the Ravens this year, part of Baltimore’s attempt to boost its passing game. The Ravens play their first preseason game Saturday night against New Orleans.
— The Florida Panthers signed newly acquired forward Sam Reinhart to a three-year, $19.5 million contract. The 25-year-old is a five-time 20-goal scorer in six full NHL seasons with Buffalo after being selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2014 draft. Reinhart scored a career high-matching and Sabres-leading 25 goals in just 54 games last season.
