Vikings coach Mike Zimmer maintained all week that he expected Teddy Bridgewater to play Sunday against the Raiders. But as of Friday, he was still waiting for his quarterback to get the green light from an independent neurologist to clear him through the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Bridgewater has finally been cleared to start, according to an ESPN report.

Bridgewater suffered his concussion in the fourth quarter of last weekend’s 21-18 overtime victory over the Rams. He was shouldered in the head by Rams rookie cornerback Lamarcus Joyner as he slid down following a run for a first down. Joyner was fined $23,152 for the hit by the NFL this week.

He practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and was a full participant on both Thursday and Friday. The Vikings listed him as questionable on Friday’s final injury report, which is supposed to mean he had a 50/50 chance to play. But Zimmer was certain Bridgewater would.

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was knocked out of Sunday's overtime win against the Rams when Lamarcus Joyner leveled a scary hit on the sliding quarterback.

Monday's day off for the players was accompanied by relatively good news for Bridgewater. He's cleared the first step of the NFL's concussion protocol, according to head coach Mike Zimmer.

"He passed his first test, so he should be good to go, I think," Zimmer said of Bridgewater. "He hasn't passed all of his tests yet, but he's passed one."

We're still early in the game but it's at least positive news. There are still more steps to clear, of course, before Bridgewater can return to practice.