SEATTLE -- Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater didn't start the team's second preseason game on Thursday night in Seattle after practicing with the first-team offense all week.
The Vikings would not comment on why Bridgewater was not in the lineup, only telling the team's broadcasters it was a "coach's decision" and that Mike Zimmer would address it after the game.
In a TV interview after halftime, Bridgewater said there was "nothing at all" to be concerned about with his health.
When asked after the game why Bridgewater didn't play, Zimmer said, "Because I sat him." When asked why, Zimmer said, "Because I wanted to."
He said Bridgewater was not being punished, adding, "Teddy Bridgewater's the nicest kid in the world. There's no disciplinary action, ever, with Teddy. It had nothing to do with discipline. It had to do with my decision."
The third-year quarterback, who appeared to be healthy all week, completed 6 of 7 passes for 92 yards in the Vikings' preseason debut against the Cincinnati Bengals, connecting with Charles Johnson on a 49-yard touchdown to cap his two series of work.
With Bridgewater sitting out in the Vikings' game against the Seahawks, backup Shaun Hill started with the first-team offense.
Later, Zimmer said the Vikings needed to evaluate Hill. The 36-year-old played most of the first half against one of the league's best defenses, going 10 of 17 for 129 yards.
"It was great for Shaun to play," he said. "We had to take a good look at him, make sure we're going into the season with a backup that we feel good about."
When asked about the decision after the game, Bridgewater said he had hoped to play but told reporters in Seattle, "It was Coach Zimmer's decision, and you don't argue with Coach Zimmer, so we left it at that."
He also added there was no disciplinary issue, saying, "You don't have to worry about that with me."