|video| #NFL Tim Tebow Injured During Broncos/Patriots Playoff Game

Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow played through considerable pain in Saturday night’s AFC divisional playoff game against New England.

At the start of the third quarter, Tebow tore cartilage on his first rib where it attaches to his sternum, bruised his lung and had fluid buildup in the plural space of his chest, according to an NFL source.

The injuries came as the result of a hit in the pocket when Tebow was pressured after throwing a pass. Even so, he was determined to finish the game with his teammates regardless of the score.

The Patriots defeated the Broncos 45-10.

Because of the severe pain, Tebow had trouble sleeping over the weekend, then spent Monday undergoing an MRI on his chest to determine the extent of the damage. He has been undergoing rehab throughout this week.

Even with the injuries, it is believed Tebow will begin his offseason training program according to schedule.

Broncos chief of football operations John Elway proclaimed Tebow the incumbent at a season-ending news conference Monday, but Tebow said Tuesday that he’s not treating his offseason any differently.

“It’s a great honor to be a quarterback for the Denver Broncos,” Tebow told the Denver Post. “I take that very seriously. I’m very excited about this offseason and I can’t wait to get to work and get better.”

WRITTEN BY Adam Schefter is ESPN’s NFL Insider & FULL STORY HERE