While an important goal of the NFL preseason is to get players ready to hit the ground running once the regular season starts, another big goal is to keep your players healthy.  Unfortunately, the Minnesota Vikings suffered a major injury during their preseason game against Tampa Bay.

StarTribune.com is reporting that starting right tackle Phil Loadholt tore his Achilles on the second play from scrimmage, which MRI tests confirmed.  This is not good news for Adrian Peterson and the running game as Loadholt was one of the best run blockers on the offensive line.

That said, the Vikings did draft tackle T.J. Clemmings in the fourth round of the 2015 draft and some people had him rated as a first-round talent.  Perhaps he will be able to step in and help the Vikings running game still be a force this season.

The team will look first at Clemmings to fill the Loadholt void, but they also have confidence in other players currently on the roster.  At least this injury happened early in the preseason so they will have several weeks to get their plan in place.

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