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MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt likely has a torn Achilles tendon on his left foot, an injury that could knock him out for the entire season.
Loadholt limped off the field after the second play from scrimmage for the Vikings on Saturday night in their exhibition game against Tampa Bay. He was visibly upset, with his head in his hands, and he draped a towel over his head as he rode on a cart to the locker room.
"We think it's a torn Achilles. It's not 100 percent sure yet, but we're pretty sure," coach Mike Zimmer said.
Loadholt will have an MRI test on Sunday.
"It's disappointing for Phil, because he worked so hard and because he's a great person," Zimmer said.
Loadholt has been the starter since he was drafted, playing in 89 of a possible 96 games over the first six years of his career. Five of those seven missed games came last season, because of a torn pectoral muscle.
Rookie T.J. Clemmings replaced Loadholt in the lineup. Mike Harris, who replaced Loadholt at right tackle after his injury last year, is currently the starting right guard.
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