EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- 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.
Several players threw their helmets and shouted expletives as they scattered, and many simultaneously dropped to one knee in prayer. Moments later, a siren-blaring ambulance pulled into the team's Winter Park headquarters, stayed for about 10 minutes and then pulled away.
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."
Players from all over the NFL took to Twitter to show their support for Bridgewater.
Praying for you @teddyb_h2o
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) August 30, 2016
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Prayers up 🙏🏾 @teddyb_h2o https://t.co/NhmkOzqD1E
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 30, 2016
Praying for you lil bro @teddyb_h2o 🙏🙏
— TY Hilton (@TYHilton13) August 30, 2016
Praying for my boy @teddyb_h2o 🙏🏿
— Shaq Lawson (@Shaq_Lawson90) August 30, 2016
There is little behind Bridgewater on the depth chart. Shaun Hill is the primary backup, but he's 36 years old and has played only sparingly over the past five years.
"I have confidence in Shaun. I think he's played great this preseason," Zimmer said. "The thing we all have to remember is this is about the team. We have a good team."
Bridgewater is entering his third season in the NFL, and the Vikings were counting on him to take major steps forward after a promising start to his career. He helped lead the Vikings to the NFC North championship last season as more of a game manager, but Zimmer and offensive coordinator Norv Turner have said they expect him to be much more of a playmaker in 2016.
Bridgewater missed the second preseason game because of a sore shoulder but was sharp Sunday against San Diego. He went 12-for-16 for 161 yards and a touchdown in two quarters, which left Vikings players and fans confident as the team started to prepare for the season opener Sept. 11 at Tennessee.
The Vikings said Bridgewater is expected to make a full recovery.
The Vikings host the Los Angeles Rams in their final preseason game Thursday. Most of the starters are not expected to play. Given Bridgewater's injury, it's expected Hill will sit out against the Rams.
Minnesota is also expected to re-sign quarterback Brad Sorensen, assuming he clears waivers. If the Vikings can bring back Sorensen, he and Joel Stave would both play in the team's final preseason game.
Minnesota was a popular Super Bowl bet in Las Vegas. As of Sunday at the Westgate SuperBook, only the Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots had attracted more bets to win the Super Bowl than the Vikings. The Westgate moved the Vikings' Super Bowl odds from 20-1 to 30-1 following news of Bridgewater's injury on Tuesday.
"Everybody can count us out, but I think that'd be the wrong thing to do," Zimmer said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.