Teddy Bridgewater ranks 4th all-time in NFL passing yards before age 23

On Tuesday, Teddy Bridgewater celebrated his 23rd birthday, an occasion which likely would have been more cheerful had Lamarcus Joyner's elbow not knocked Bridgewater unconscious two days prior.

Still, there was cause for celebration on Tuesday, as ESPN revealed that Bridgewater threw for more passing yards before turning 23 than all but three NFL quarterbacks who have gone before him.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewatercelebrates his 23rd birthday on Tuesday. And while he's probably spending part of it trying to pass the next steps in the NFL's concussion protocol after getting hit in the head on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, he can also take some enjoyment from the knowledge that he's had one of the more productive pre-23 careers of any quarterback in NFL history.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Bridgewater's 4,589 passing yards are the fourth-most in league history by a quarterback before his 23rd birthday. But for Lamarcus Joyner's elbow to Bridgewater's head on Sunday, the Vikings quarterback probably would be third on the list; his long-ago Vikings predecessor, Fran Tarkenton, occupies the third spot with 4,592 yards.

Happy belated birthday, Teddy.