Garrett Bradbury leaves Vikings' opener with back injury, return questionable

Vikings center Garrett Bradbury has left Sunday's season opener against the Buccaneers with a back injury. The team announced him as questionable to return.

Bradbury got shaken up on the Vikings' best offensive play of the first quarter, a 30-yard completion from Kirk Cousins to Justin Jefferson. He went into the blue medical tent to be evaluated, then eventually was walked off the field and into the locker room.

It's notable that this is a back injury. Bradbury missed the final five games of the 2022 regular season with a back issue. While trying to recover and return to the field, his absence was extended when he tweaked his back in a minor car accident. Bradbury eventually did return for the wild card round of the playoffs, but struggled mightily against the Giants' Dexter Lawrence in a Minnesota defeat.

Austin Schlottmann has replaced Bradbury at center for the Vikings.

The Vikings brought back Bradbury this offseason on a three-year deal. The 2019 first-round pick out of North Carolina State had his best season in a contract year, bringing his pass protection from awful to solid. Bradbury, who is an elite athlete for an offensive lineman, has always been an excellent run blocker and communicator from the center position.

The Vikings trailed the Buccaneers 3-0 after one quarter. Follow along with live updates here.