Vikings Place Teddy Bridgewater on Injured Reserve, Re-Sign QB Brad Sorensen

The Minnesota Vikings placed Teddy Bridgewater on injured reserve Wednesday, a day after the third-year quarterback tore his ACL and suffered other structural damage at practice.

The team also announced it had re-signed Brad Sorensen. Sorensen, 28, was cut Tuesday as the team made mandatory roster reductions from 90 to 75 players.

Sorensen played quarterback at Southern Utah and was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round in 2013.

Sorensen spent most of his time with the Chargers on the team's practice squad. He also spent time on the Titans practice squad in 2014.

The Vikings made the roster moves after it became clear Bridgewater would not be able to return this season.

Vikings Director of Sports Medicine and Head Athletic Trainer Eric Sugarman released the following statement on Bridgewater's injury Tuesday:

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.

ESPN's Ben Goessling said Bridgewater went down and grabbed his left knee during a non-contact play.

Trainers rushed to the quarterback while players dropped to one knee in prayer. The rest of practice was immediately canceled.

KFAN writer Alexander Shun described what he saw when the injury took place:

Bridgewater was under center, took the snap and, as he began his drop, screamed in pain and fell to the ground. He immediately grabbed at his left knee and players were consequently heard cursing loudly while others began slamming their helmets on the ground. Players on the sidelines immediately bent down in prayer as trainers gathered around him. The injury could be quickly diagnosed as something serious from the reactions of everyone at practice and the visible and audible pain that Bridgewater was in.

A recording from an emergency scanner indicates that Bridgewater's injury was initially called in as a dislocated knee.

Bridgewater left Winter Park in an ambulance.

Following the news, Twitter immediately lit up with speculation on which available quarterbacks could fill in for Bridgewater in the case that he suffered a season-ending injury.

Head coach Mike Zimmer said the team will take time to grieve before getting back to work Wednesday.

"It’s more about our feelings for Teddy and him as a person and getting better than it is about anything else," he said.

The Vikings will play their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams Thursday night at U.S. Bank Stadium. The team will play its season opener in Tennessee against the Titans on Sept. 11.

Image: Kyle Engman via Flickr /Creative Commons