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MINNEAPOLIS -- Teddy Bridgewater was sharp in his return from a sore arm, completing 12 of 16 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown in the first half for the Minnesota Vikings in a 23-10 exhibition victory Sunday over the San Diego Chargers in the official unveiling of their new stadium.After sitting out last week, Bridgewater found Kyle Rudolph for a 27-yard score to cap a crisp 2-minute drill and led the Vikings to points on three of five possessions. Bridgewater even juked strong safety Adrian Phillips to further a 22-yard run that set up one of three field goals by Blair Walsh.The shoulders feeling great, Bridgewater said. I had some fun out there playing with the guys, and I cant wait to get back out there.Melvin Gordon, aiming to rebound from a rough rookie season, cruised through the middle of Minnesotas starting defense for a 39-yard touchdown after Philip Rivers audibled to a run upon sensing a blitz. San Diego lost running back Branden Oliver, though, to an Achilles tendon injury on his right leg that required a cart to take him off. The loss of Oliver, the primary kickoff returner and a contributing backup behind Gordon and Danny Woodhead, left the Chargers in a somber mood.I went up there as a friend and just prayed for him, Woodhead said. Thats the only thing you can do in that situation.With sunlight streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling glass on the west side and through the translucent, space-age roof, the Vikings enjoyed a gleaming debut for U.S. Bank Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 66,143.Its a beautiful place, coach Mike Zimmer said, as purple-clad fans watched his postgame press conference from a lounge area the team walks through to reach the field. Its just getting used to everything.The Chargers undoubtedly felt some envy, with their decade-and-a-half quest to replace 49-year-old Qualcomm Stadium unfulfilled and a move to Los Angeles a possibility. This game was conveniently scheduled for national broadcast on Fox, in case folks in San Diego were still on the fence about public funding.Rivers went 5 for 9 for 54 yards and an interception for the Chargers.With Adrian Peterson resting on the sideline, Jerick McKinnon rushed eight times for 56 yards for the Vikings.SLIPPERY STARTSeveral players on both teams lost their footing on the artificial turf during the game, one sign of the newness.I think after about five or six games it will be perfect, Gordon said. Its just got to get broken in a little bit.Zimmer said a few players told him the surface was fine.ROOKIE WATCHChargers: Sixth-round draft pick Drew Kaser dropped three punts inside the 10-yard line. Kaser, who unseated 13-year veteran Mike Scifres, averaged 50.3 gross yards on four kicks.Vikings: WR Laquon Treadwell made a tricky catch on a fade route in the corner of the end zone on a 2-point conversion pass from Shaun Hill. The first-round draft pick also had a 15-yard reception.POSITION BATTLESChargers: QB Mike Bercovici, competing with Zach Mettenberger to be the third-string QB, had passes intercepted by Vikings rookies Jayron Kearse and Mackensie Alexander. Bercovici finished just 4 for 12 for 67 yards.Vikings: Joe Berger played the whole first half at center over John Sullivan, who missed last season with a back injury and has not been assured of getting back his job. Sullivan didnt play, because the coaches wanted to evaluate the way Berger played with right guard Brandon Fusco.INJURY UPDATEChargers: Besides Oliver, RT Joe Barksdale also came out of the game in the first half, limping off with a left ankle injury.Vikings: Pruitt and SS Antone Exum left the game with left leg injuries and will have MRI exams. SS Michael Griffin hurt his back and was on crutches afterward.QUOTABLEChargers: DT Corey Liuget, on four fumbles forced, two recovered, by the defense: Its great. For a fat guy like myself, every chance I can get off the field, I want it. I give a big credit to our secondary.Vikings: Rudolph on Bridgewater: I dont think its possible for Teddy to be more calm. . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays have added depth at catcher for the stretch run by re-acquiring veteran switch-hitter Dioner Navarro from the Chicago White Sox.The Blue Jays sent minor league left-hander Colton Turner to Chicago in Fridays waiver deal. Navarro is likely to be the backup in Toronto behind Russell Martin.Navarro was texting with a Toronto player when White Sox general manager Rick Hahn interrupted to tell him of the trade.The player was asking him if he had heard anything about them possibly going after him again. When I was explaining to him he had been traded he started typing in, Yeah, I just heard something, Hahn said.Navarro, 32, spent two seasons with the Blue Jays before signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the White Sox as a free agent in December. He has struggled this season, hitting .210 with six homers and 32 RBIs in 85 games.Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Navarro was excited by the opportunity to reunite with his former team.I could see the smile through the phone, Atkins said. This should be a boost of energy for him, coming into a contender.Toronto entered play Friday tied with Boston atop the American League EEast.ddddddddddddAtkins said Torontos coaching staff was also pleased to hear Navarro was returning.They were extremely excited about, not just what he means as a catcher, but just an overall teammate, he said.Navarro is expected to join the Blue Jays in Baltimore on Monday, Atkins said. Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who typically works with catcher Josh Thole, is set to start against Minnesota on Sunday.Atkins said the Blue Jays continue to explore further moves.At this point, you have to be really aggressive to get something done, he said. Every day well look to make this team better, but theres nothing imminent.The White Sox were looking to clear a roster spot with catcher Alex Avila set to come off the disabled list.Turner, 25, has split time between Class A and Double-A this season, going 3-1 with a 1.33 ERA in 44 games.Hes 94-95 (mph) on the fastball, plus slider with good command, Hahn said of Turner. Hes effective against both righties and lefties, so hopefully his role wont be limited to simply matching up against lefties. ' ' '
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