Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater has dislocated knee, completely torn ACL

Gottlieb: Teddy Bridgewater injured

Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater suffered a season-ending torn ACL and dislocated knee on a non-contact injury during practice, the club confirmed Tuesday evening.

"Teddy Bridgewater suffered a non-contact injury today at practice," head athletic trainer Eric Sugerman said in a statement. "The injury was quickly identified as a dislocated knee. The injury was stabilized, and he was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and evaluation. After undergoing an MRI, it was determined that Teddy suffered a complete tear to his ACL and other structural damage. Fortunately, there appears to be no nerve or arterial damage. Surgical repair will be scheduled within the next few days. Although the recovery time will be significant, we expect Teddy to make a full recovery. I would like to thank all of the medical professionals and our athletic training staff for all of their help today. Teddy has already displayed the attitude needed to overcome this injury and attack his rehab."

Bridgewater went down on a dropback approximately 25 minutes into practice, which was quickly canceled as an ambulance arrived. The traumatic scene reportedly included some of Peterson"s teammates vomiting on the field.

"Well you know today is a disappointing day," Mike Zimmer said about in a news conference shortly after injury. "Number one Teddy is such an amazing kid. Everybody loves him. So it was disappointing for them and I didnt think we were going to get much out of practice. Well get back in heretomorrowand well get back to work. Were not going to stick our heads in the sand. Were going to tuck our tail between our legs. Were not looking for excuses. Were going to go out and fight like we always do. We got some great football players on this team. Well figure ways to win football games if hes not here and thats what were going to do."

Zimmer said he"s leaned on a pair of mentors, Bill Parcells and, in spirit, his late father Bill, who passed away last August, in the immediate aftermath Tuesday.

"I"ve talked to Coach (Bill) Parcells a couple times today. Ive talked to well, in spirit, Ive talked to my dad, and he always found a way to do it," said an emotional Zimmer. "So, were going to figure out a way. Were not going to stick our heads in the sand. Were going to figure out a way. Everybody can count us out if they want, but I think thatd be the wrong thing to do."

Zimmer didn"t rule out the possibility of acquiring a veteran as the Vikings" Plan B, but he expressed confidence in 36-year-old backup Shaun Hill, who"s been "great this preseason," he said.

After losing his father last summer, and following the sudden passing of his wife seven years ago, Zimmer said he"ll channel the experiences into helping his team battle this adversity.

"Yeah, thats our job, find a way," said Zimmer. "No one is going to feel sorry for us, no one is going to cry. The Tennessee Titans or the Green Bay Packers, we can go down the schedule, no one is going to feel sorry for us if thats the case. So Im not going to feel sorry for us either. Im not going to let this team feel sorry for itself. Were going to grieve today and upset about it. Its more about our feelings for Teddy and him as a person and getting better than it is about anything else. Teddys a great kid and h**l be back as soon as he possibly can if it is real bad. But were going to keep fighting."

Bridgewater, 23, was set to enter his second full season as the starter for the defending NFC North champions. After sitting out the second preseason game with reported shoulder soreness, he returned Sunday and was outstanding in the team"s final tuneup and, as it turns out, his final outing of 2016.

Source: http://tdn.com/sports/football/minnesota-vikings-qb-teddy-bridgewater-has-dislocated-knee-completely-torn/article_84ce9d38-46f8-58ff-9b12-4ce54583348d.html