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Teddy Bridgewater suffered a dislocated knee and torn ACL at practice Tuesday, the team announced in a release. "After undergoing an MRI, it was determined that Teddy suffered a complete tear to his ACL and other structural damage," the statement read. "Fortunately, there appears to be no nerve or arterial damage. Surgical repair will be scheduled within the next few days and Bridgewater was officially placed on

"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."

As NFL.com reported, the injury announcement came about two hours after an emotional scene unfolded at Vikings practice when Bridgewater went down with a non-contact injury that ended the session after just 30 minutes. Zimmer said the 23-year-old had to be sedated before undergoing an MRI at the hospital.

When asked if there was a chance Bridgewater could play this season, Zimmer responded at the time, "It doesn't look good right now."

"We're not going to stick our heads in the sand, tuck our tail between our legs," Zimmer said about the bind Bridgewater's injury could put the team in. "We're not going to make excuses.

"Everybody can count us out but I think that'd be the wrong thing to do."

Even though Bridgewater only threw 14 touchdowns last year, he paced a run-first offense that helped the Vikings win the division and come within a missed field goal of beating the Seahawks in the playoffs. Over his first two seasons, he passed for more yards than any quarterback in Vikings history over the same time frame. He also has the highest completion percentage (64.9) of any quarterback over his first two seasons in NFL history. His 3,231 yards passing earned him a Pro Bowl bid and propelled the 2014 first-round pick into his third season.

The preseason gave us glimpses of the best Bridgewater yet -- something that coach Zimmer was adamant about throughout the offseason. Through the first three weeks, Bridgewater was 18 of 23 (78.3 percent) with 253, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Shaun Hill and Joel Stave are the team's other quarterbacks. The team added Brad Sorensen to the mix after Bridgewater's injury and there is talk of adding another veteran via trade or after final cutdowns this weekend.

Hill, who is 34, is 16-18 as a starter in his career. "I have confidence in Shaun," Zimmer said. "I think he's played great this preseason. He's been in two-minute drills. He's done a phenomenal job."

The Vikings attempted the fewest passes per game (28.4) last season, which might leave some to wonder why there is so much concern in Minneapolis.

Meanwhile, Bridgewater released a statement Thursday afternoon through the team.

“I want to thank the Wilf Family and the entire Vikings organization, all of my teammates, friends, [team trainer] Eric Sugarman and the amazing Vikings athletic training staff and the fans who have sent me messages and wished me well,” the statement said. “Your thoughts and prayers mean a lot to me and have helped me in this difficult time. There are great players and great leaders in our locker room who are going to fight to the end to reach the goals we set for 2016. I will be there mentally, physically and in spirit to support them accomplish those goals.

“In order to have a testimony, you have to have a test. I come from amazing DNA; I watched my mom fight and win against breast cancer. We will, as a team, attack my rehab with the same vigor and energy. My faith is strong, my faith is unwavering and my vision is clear. My purpose will not be denied.”

We'll be watching his efforts to make a comeback throughout the coming year.