The 2015 season for Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt is in jeopardy after he suffered an apparent Achilles injury just two plays into the Vikings-Bucs preseason game Saturday night.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, citing a source, was first to report the nature of the injury.
Loadholt limped off with the assist of a member of the Vikings training staff. Soon after, a report on the TV broadcast by former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber said the injury was “not good” and that Loadholt had tears in his eyes while awaiting the cart to be taken to the locker room.
Loadholt had started 89 of 91 career games before he missed the final five games of 2014 with a torn labrum. A powerful run blocker who’s listed at 6'8, 345, his loss is a significant one for a Vikings offense that plans to welcome back running back Adrian Peterson for the regular-season opener.
He was replaced by fourth-round rookie T.J. Clemmings, who played right tackle at Pitt.