Eden Prairie, MN (Betting Express) - The Minnesota Vikings officially ended Daunte Culpepper's season on Tuesday as the team placed their star quarterback on injured reserve.

Culpepper tore the anterior cruciate, medial collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee during the first quarter of Sunday's 38-13 loss.

Tests Monday revealed the severity of the injury, which will force Culpepper to undergo surgery once the swelling goes down.

"He'll get prepared for surgery at some point in the next few weeks and then he'll be out for the season," said Vikings head coach Mike Tice on Monday. "This is just another hurdle we'll have to overcome as a football team."

Culpepper scrambled for a first down on a 3rd-and-4 in Carolina territory, but was hit low by Chris Gamble on the play and immediately grabbed for his knee once he hit the turf.

Before leaving the game, Culpepper completed 3-of-4 passes for 28 yards. For the season, he has connected on 139-of-216 passes for 1,564 yards with six touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Brad Johnson will take over as the starting QB for Minnesota. Johnson threw for 162 yards with a touchdown pass on 13-of-28 passing against the Panthers in relief of Culpepper.