Teddy Bridgewater suffered a knee injury at Vikings practice Tuesday afternoon and it will end his season. The Vikings announced that Bridgewater suffered a torn ACL and dislocated knee in a non-contact injury.
Here’s the statement from Vikings head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman.
“Teddy Bridgewater suffered a non-contact injury today at practice. 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.”
Head coach Mike Zimmer offered some perspective to the situation while chatting with reporters.
"My wife passed away 7 years ago and it was a tough day, but the sun still came up the next day." – Coach Zimmer
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 30, 2016
“Teddy is a great kid,” said Zimmer. “He’ll be back as soon as he possibly can be if it is real bad, but we’re going to keep fighting.”
The injury was severe enough for the Vikings to call off practice after just 25 minutes. They also called an ambulance to Winter Park to take Bridgewater to the hospital.
Ambulance arrives at Winter Park after #Vikings Bridgewater goes down with injury in practice. pic.twitter.com/H6Uohrs9gL
— s. gross (@ShariStrib) August 30, 2016
According to MPR News, as Bridgewater went back to pass his leg appeared to give out. Bridgewater went down immediately.
The Star Tribune notes that trainers rushed to Bridgewater’s side immediately, while some of his teammates huddled around him, others were visibly upset.
Here is some of the Twitter reaction.
#Vikings practice called early after Teddy Bridgewater hit the deck, athletic trainers checking out leg. Teammates visibly upset
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) August 30, 2016
Bridgewater being looked at players praying
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 30, 2016
The Vikings have ended practice after Teddy Bridgewater went down with a non-contact injury. Lots of worried faces at Winter Park
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) August 30, 2016
Vikings players were distraught coming off the field. Bridgewater is incredibly popular in the locker room. Team is shaken
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) August 30, 2016
I’m heartbroken over the Teddy news. I hope he’s back soon but ambulance is never good news. This sucks. #Vikings
— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) August 30, 2016
We will keep you updated as more information comes out.
