Teddy Bridgewater to start for New Orleans Saints in Week 17 clash with Carolina Panthers

Teddy Bridgewater will make his first NFL start in almost three years when the New Orleans Saints take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Bridgewater feared his career could be over in 2016 when he suffered a devastating knee injury during training camp when he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

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The 26-year-old has only attempted three passes in regular-season games since then, but he will step in for Drew Brees in Week 17 with the Saints (13-2) having already secured No 1 seed in the NFC.

"Just knowing that you can take that field from the start of the game, you just get the chills thinking about it. Because it's been so long," Bridgewater said.

"It's a great feeling. I get the chills just thinking about [it]. I'm excited about it. I'm trying to keep my composure. But it's just another milestone to check off the list.

"All the time that you put in, all the sacrifices you made to get to this point ... it's great to see the opportunity present itself. I'm very grateful for it, appreciative of it, and I just can't wait."

Brees has continued to star for the Saints as he approaches his 40th birthday in January, throwing for 3,992 yards and 32 touchdowns this season as well as a full-season career-low five interceptions.

He will not be the only Pro Bowl selection sitting in week 17 as running back Todd Gurley will be missing from the Los Angeles Rams team to face the San Francisco 49ers.

Gurley missed last week's win over the Arizona Cardinals with a knee injury and has not practised this week - CJ Anderson started, and shone with 167 rushing yards, in his absence.

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The Rams (12-3) need a win over the 49ers (4-11), or a Chicago Bears defeat against the Minnesota Vikings, to secure second seed in the NFC and a valuable bye in the first week of the post-season.

They will also be without star free safety Lamarcus Joyner who suffered an ankle injury against Arizona.