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Notebook: Minnesota Vikings QB Bradford out again this weekend

By The Sports Xchange
National Football League Twitter
National Football League Twitter

For the second straight week, there will be no mystery about the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.

Sam Bradford did not practice Thursday and afterward in a session with the media, head coach Mike Zimmer ruled Bradford out for Sunday's game against the division-rival Detroit Lions.

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For the third consecutive game, the starter will be Case Keenum, who posted a career-high 142.1 passer rating in a 17-point route of the Buccaneers at home last Sunday.

The Vikings play the Lions at home on Sunday.

--Cleveland Browns rookie defensive end Myles Garrett returned to the practice field for the first time since sustaining a high-ankle sprain three weeks ago.

Garrett, who was the top overall pick of the 2017 draft, participated in drills for the first time since a teammate inadvertently fell on his ankle during a practice on Sept. 6.

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He still might not play this weekend.

"If he is able to play, we might not play him the whole game," coach Hue Jackson said. "So we'll see how that unfolds if he's able to go. We'll find out more as we go through the week."

--Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin practiced fully and is expected to play in Sunday's game at the New England Patriots.

Benjamin dodged what appeared to be a serious injury to his left knee that forced him out of last week's loss to New Orleans, but an MRI exam revealed no structural damage.

--New Orleans Saints running back Adrian Peterson missed practice one day after reportedly tweaking his knee.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday's practice injury for the 32-year-old Peterson, who is adjusting to playing in a reduced role for the Saints (1-2) this season.

Peterson rushed nine times for 33 yards in New Orleans' 34-13 romp over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

--Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is expected to play in Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, coach Anthony Lynn told Sirius XM NFL Radio.

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Gordon was limited in practice on Wednesday as he deals with a knee injury.

The 24-year-old rushed 17 times for 79 yards and a touchdown in last week's 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

--NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, several NFL owners and a few players met in New York to discuss kneeling during the national anthem and related issues, multiple media outlets reported.

New York Giants defensive captain Jonathan Casillas, who was among the 20 to 30 people present, said no concrete decisions were made. Rather it was an exchange of ideas on what the league plans to do moving forward and how to approach player protests.

--Houston Texans rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson donated his first game check to three cafeteria workers at NRG Stadium who were especially affected by the flooding from Hurricane Harvey.

Watson recently walked into the cafeteria with envelopes wrapped in a ribbon for the three women.

Watson, who has a base salary of $465,000, donated a check for $27,353.

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--Justin Timberlake is finalizing a deal to be a halftime performer at Super Bowl LII, according to multiple reports.

The 10-time Grammy winner would be making a return appearance at the Super Bowl, which will be held Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

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