Sep 30, 2014 4 min read

The Minnesota Vikings have not committed to quarterback Teddy Bridgewater playing at Green Bay on his sprained left ankle.

Two days after the injury he was “doing much better,” according to coach Mike Zimmer, but Bridgewater didn’t participate in practice Tuesday.

“If he can play, we’ll play him,” Zimmer said.

Christian Ponder would start if Bridgewater isn’t cleared.

Zimmer said Bridgewater’s work Tuesday would be more mental than physical. The team planned to have Bridgewater try running on the ankle he hurt against Atlanta in his first career start. Bridgewater said he had yet to throw the ball.

The Packers have said they’re preparing for Bridgewater to play Thursday, and Zimmer said he doesn’t have doubt about Bridgewater’s availability. But the Vikings coach also said he’s taking the rookie’s status “one day at a time.”

“Just depends on when we feel he’s ready and when we feel he’s not ready,” Zimmer said.

Bridgewater said he’s become well-acquainted with athletic trainer Eric Sugarman and his staff since he was hurt Sunday.

“I want to do what’s best for the team. I’m sure the training staff and the coaching staff is going to do what’s best for the team also,” Bridgewater said.

Patriots looking for answers: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft says the 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs is horrible but he still has faith the team will turn its season around.

The Patriots fell to 2-2 Monday night in only the third game Bill Belichick has lost by at least 27 points in his 336 games as an NFL head coach.

The offense struggled to move the ball and the defense that had been stingy couldn’t stop the Chiefs from reeling off long gains.

Now, the Patriots must prepare to face the AFC’s only unbeaten team when Cincinnati visits on Sunday night. The Patriots will have one less day than usual to prepare, while the Bengals are coming off a bye.

FCC eliminates blackout rule: The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to eliminate its sports blackout rule, which for nearly 40 years has prevented cable and satellite systems from televising some NFL games.

The move is unlikely to eliminate the league’s attempts to black out games, which it can do on local broadcast networks when tickets to a game are not sold out. Because of the sport’s soaring popularity, however, only two NFL games were blacked out locally last season.

The NFL strongly opposed the FCC action. But Commissioner Ajit Pai, a Republican, echoed the sentiments of the five the commissioners by saying: “It is not the place of the federal government to intervene in the private marketplace and help sports leagues enforce their blackout policies. It is the commission’s job to serve the public interest, not the private interests of team owners.”

Tate back as No. 1 for Browns: Ben Tate’s injured right knee has healed. His confidence was never even bruised.

Cleveland’s running back returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since spraining his knee in the first half of the season opener at Pittsburgh on Sept. 7. Wearing a brace for the first time in his career, Tate made several sharp cuts and looked quick during the portion of individual and team drills.

Following the workout, which was moved into the indoor field house because of rain, Tate made it clear he’s eager to reclaim his starting job.

“Of course,” he said. “If I’m going to be out there, then I want to be that guy.”

Raiders name Sparano coach: The Oakland Raiders have promoted offensive line coach Tony Sparano to interim coach to replace the fired Dennis Allen.

General manager Reggie McKenzie announced the move Tuesday, a day after the decision was made to fire Allen four games into his third season as coach.

Sparano had a 29-32 record as head coach in Miami from 2008-11. He took over a one-win team in 2008 and led the Dolphins to an 11-5 record and an AFC East title. That was his only winning season and he was fired with three games remaining in 2011.

Sparano has been offensive line coach the past two seasons in Oakland.

Sparano becomes Oakland’s eighth coach in the past 12 seasons. The Raiders have not made the playoffs or had a winning record since winning the 2002 AFC championship.