Vikings’ Bridgewater injures knee

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to miss the season while recovering from a dislocated left knee and torn anterior cruciate ligament after a freak practice injury 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.

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.

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 last five years.

Etc.

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 that Kaepernick would play in the team’s final exhibition Thursday night in San Diego after missing the first two preseason games with a tired shoulder. 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.

The Dallas Cowboys placed quarterback Kellen Moore on season-ending injured reserve, eliminating the chance for him to return after breaking his right ankle in practice early in training camp. Moore was expected to be Tony Romo’s backup, and now both are out after Romo broke a bone in his back in the preseason against Seattle. The Cowboys haven’t said how long Romo will be out, but rookie fourth-round pick Dak Prescott figures to start at least the first few games if healthy.