The veterans
Joshua Bellamy – WR/ST Specialist, New York Jets
Opponent: New York Giants
Stats: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 36 yards
Teddy Bridgewater – QB, New Orleans Saints
Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
Stats: 14/19, 134 yards, 1 TD
Preston Brown – MLB, Cincinnati Bengals
Opponent: Kansas City Chiefs
Stats: DNP
Still recovering from a season-ending knee injury in 2018-19.
Brandon Dunn – DT, Houston Texans
Opponent: Green Bay Packers
Stats: 2 total tackles
DeVante Parker – WR, Miami Dolphins
Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 1 target, 1 reception, 14 yards
Senorise Perry – RB/ST Specialist, Buffalo BIlls
Opponent: Indianapolis Colts
Stats: 4 carries, 10 yards, 1 TD, 1 target, 1 reception, 15 yards, 1 tackle (solo)
Bilal Powell – RB, New York Jets
Opponent: New York Giants
Stats: DNP
Recovering from a season-ending neck injury suffered in 2018-19.
Sheldon Rankins – DT, New Orleans Saints
Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
Stats: DNP
Recovering from a season-ending Achilles injury in 2018-19.
Eli Rogers – WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stats: DNP
Recovering from injury.
Other veterans who suited up but didn’t record stats:
Jamon Brown – OG/OT, Atlanta Falcons
John Miller – OG, Cincinnati Bengals
Reaction: Teddy Bridgewater got the start for the New Orleans Saints going up against his former squad the Minnesota Vikings. This was a great chance for Bridgewater to continue building chemistry with his teammates and to show the rest of the NFL how far along he’s come since that devastating injury.
Just a few days before the game Bridgewater told New Orleans media “I can honestly say that this is the best I’ve ever felt in my six years. And I feel great mentally, physically, and spiritually.”
We saw that pretty quickly during his time on the field as he was extremely efficient going 14/19 over two quarters, throwing crisp passes and keeping the Saints offense moving at a nice pass. He had a beautiful pass down the sideline to Cyril Grayson as well as a touchdown pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
Teddy Bridgewater stays in the pocket, takes a hit, delivers a deep ball to former #LSU Tiger Cyril Grayson, Jr. #Saints @FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/M7oKPa6ydx
— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) August 10, 2019
He’s the backup, there’s no denying that with Drew Brees still suiting up for the Saints, but if something were to happen to the soon to be Hall-of-Famer, the Saints are in good hands with Bridgewater. Depending on what the Saints plans are down the road with Bridgewater, who signed a one-year deal this offseason, he could be a trade chip before the trade deadline or he could be continuing to audition for the starting job post-Brees.
In the midst of fighting for a roster spot in Buffalo, former Louisville running back Senorise Perry became the first running back to score a touchdown in a game wearing the number 32 since 1977. Take that OJ Simpson. Also, shoutout to Senorise for jumping on the Big Red Louie Podcast the night before reporting to training camp.