Injuries hit the Vikings hard early last year in the regular season. Now, one has struck early in the preseason.
On just the second play of Minnesota's 26-16 win over Tampa Bay on Saturday night at TCF Bank Stadium, right tackle Phil Loadholt suffered an apparent season-ending torn Achilles tendon. That cast a pall over a second straight win to open the exhibition season.
Loadholt was in obvious pain when taken off on a cart. The injury could significantly weaken the right side of the Vikings' line after they already have moved Brandon Fusco to left guard and inserted inexperienced Mike Harris at right guard.