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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to miss at least the next season while recovering from a dislocated left knee and torn anterior cruciate ligament after a freak practice injury on Tuesday


Bridgewater was taken by ambulance to a hospital after crumpling to the turf during practice, and the team announced hours later that his knee also had "other structural damage" that will need to be repaired in a surgery that will be scheduled in the coming days. But the team did say he had no nerve or arterial damage and it expects a full recovery after a "significant" rehabilitation. 
 

"Teddy has already displayed the attitude needed to overcome this injury and attack his rehab," said Eric Sugarman, the director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer for the Vikings.

Bridgewater dropped back to pass during a non-contact drill when he collapsed. Concerned teammates and athletic trainers huddled around him.


The Vikings cut short the practice and called in an ambulance.

During a news conference hours later, coach Mike Zimmer was asked if he had hope for Bridgewater playing this season, Zimmer said, "I don't know. I don't know. It doesn't look good right now."


But he was also defiant, insisting the team would find a way to win if Bridgewater was done for the season. 


"Everybody can count us out if they want but I think that'd be the wrong thing to do," Zimmer said.


"We're not going to stick our heads in the sand. We're not looking for excuses," he said. "We're going to fight like we always do. I have confidence in this football team."

Veteran quarterback Shaun Hill is the primary backup to Bridgewater. There's little position depth on the team beyond that. 

Zimmer said he had confidence in Hill but that team management was also discussing adding another quarterback.

The Vikings host the Los Angeles Rams in a final preseason game Thursday night. The team's regular NFL season begins Sept. 11 with a game against the Tennessee Titans.

Sports

Associated Press

Author

Peter Cox

Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to miss at least the next season while recovering from a dislocated left knee and torn anterior cruciate ligament after a freak practice injury on Tuesday.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to miss at least the next season while recovering from a dislocated left knee and torn anterior cruciate ligament after a freak practice injury on Tuesday.

Vikings: QB Bridgewater has dislocated knee, torn ACL

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