When Rams quarterback Sam Bradford played in his first football game last year, his shoulder exploded on a hit from a 230-pound linebacker. When Bradford returned later in the season, he hurt it again.
In his first game action since having the shoulder surgically repaired, Bradford took four sacks and multiple additional hits from the Vikings’ reserve defenders.
And his shoulder withstood the punishment.
“The shoulder feels great,” Bradford said in comments distributed by the team. “I took a couple hits tonight. Took a couple, landed on the shoulder. Feels great, it’s not sore at all. We’ll see tomorrow how it feels, but right now it feels great.”
To his credit, Bradford said nothing at all about any “problems in protection” or that his offensive line was “outplayed pretty decisively.” Whether Bradford is as charitable after he’s been tossed around all year like Rottweiler with a rag doll remains to be seen.