Written by Ben Goessling at ESPN.com
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a dislocated knee and a torn ACL when he went down during a noncontact drill at practice Tuesday, ending his 2016 season.
“Teddy suffered a complete tear to his ACL and other structural damage,” the team said in a statement Tuesday evening after Bridgewater underwent an MRI. “Fortunately, there appears to be no nerve or arterial damage.”
Bridgewater dropped back to pass during a drill, planted his foot and immediately went down. Trainers rushed to his side and began inflating an aircast, and the quarterback appeared to be holding his left leg.
The team called off Tuesday’s practice — its last of the preseason — after Bridgewater was injured.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said he briefly spoke with Bridgewater after the injury and said he told the 23-year-old, “Hang in there. We’re with him. Hope for the best.”
Bridgewater was still on the practice field grass as the team’s public relations staff ushered reporters from the premises.
“Today is a disappointing day. … The No. 1 thing is Teddy is such a great kid,” Zimmer said. “Everyone loves him.”
Players were visibly distraught as they exited the field, and Zimmer said he spoke with the team prior to addressing the media.
“We’re gonna grieve today and be upset about it,” Zimmer told reporters. “It’s more about our feelings for Teddy and for him as a person and getting better than it is about anything else. Teddy’s a great kid, and he’ll be back as soon as he possibly can, if it is real bad. But we’re going to keep fighting.”
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