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VIKINGS
Bridgewater tears ACL, out for season
eden prairie, minn.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to miss at least the next season while recovering from a dislocated left knee and torn anterior cruciate ligament after a freak practice injury on Tuesday.
Bridgewater was taken by ambulance to a hospital after crumpling to the turf during practice, and the team announced hours later that his knee also had “other structural damage” that will need to be repaired in a surgery that will be scheduled in the coming days. But the team did say he had no nerve or arterial damage and it expects a full recovery after a “significant” rehabilitation.
“Teddy has already displayed the attitude needed to overcome this injury and attack his rehab,” said Eric Sugarman, the director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer for the Vikings.
Bridgewater suffered a non-contact knee injury while dropping back to pass, and it was so jolting that coach Mike Zimmer immediately ended practice. Players were visibly distraught as they left the field, some hurling expletives into the air and others kneeling in prayer for one of the team’s most popular players. Moments later, a siren-blaring ambulance rushed to team headquarters to get the quarterback to the hospital.
49ers
Kaepernick preps amid controversy
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Colin Kaepernick will get one more chance to impress coach Chip Kelly before the San Francisco 49ers announce their starting quarterback even as the debate surrounding Kaepernick’s refusal to stand for the national anthem remains heated.
Kelly said Tuesday that Kaepernick will play in the team’s final exhibition game Thursday night in San Diego after missing the first two preseason games with a tired shoulder. This will be Kaepernick’s first game since he spoke publicly over his anthem protest, saying he won’t stand during the anthem because of what he described as oppression of minorities in the United States.
The 49ers declined to comment on whether there will be increased security in place for the game in San Diego when Kaepernick has said he once again will sit during the national anthem.
Blaine Gabbert, who is also in the running for the starting job, won’t play because he has gotten 30 more plays in the preseason and Kelly does not need to evaluate him further.
Kelly said he will pick a starter for the regular season opener against Los Angeles on Sept. 12 sometime after Thursday night’s game. He said Kaepernick remains one of his two best quarterbacks.
Despite that, Kelly said general manager Trent Baalke will make the final call on whether Kaepernick remains on the team’s roster after the cut to 53 players on Saturday.
Staff/wire reports