MINNEAPOLIS –Teddy Bridgewater has vowed to return stronger than ever, and the Vikings organization has his back.
"[Teddy] was at the facility today," Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman told media prior to kickoff of the Vikings-Rams preseason game. "He saw the guys over there today and was at the facility, and he's home resting now and doing great."
Spielman provided an update on Bridgewater, who **suffered a season-ending knee injury** in practice Tuesday and was **placed on Injured Reserve** yesterday. Bridgewater's family and representatives arrived in the Twin Cities today, and Spielman joined Director of Sports Medicine/Certified Head Athletic Trainer Eric Sugarman in a consultation with medical staff to discuss Bridgewater's options moving forward.
"[There's been] a ton of research on this," Spielman said. "We want to make sure he gets the best care possible, and hopefully we'll have a decision here within the next 24 hours of where and when he'll get his surgery."
Earlier today, Bridgewater released the following statement after being released from the hospital:
I want to thank the Wilf Family and the entire Vikings organization, all of my teammates, friends, Eric Sugarman and the amazing Vikings athletic training staff and the fans who have sent me messages and wished me well. 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.
Spielman said he was unsure of a specific timetable now for Bridgewater's return to the field. What he does expect, however, is for Bridgewater to make a full recovery.
One positive about Bridgewater's injury is that neither the nerve nor the artery suffered any damage. Spielman also emphasized that Bridgewater is only 23 years old.
"I know we have to get through the surgery, through the rehab," Spielman said. "And [we're looking] forward to just getting him back.
"Teddy is Teddy," Spielman continued. "Teddy is going to attack this thing and come back even better. You saw Adrian [Peterson] and what he did, and hopefully we're talking about Teddy the same way next year at this time."
