The hits keep coming for the Minnesota Vikings. Mere minutes after it was announced Adrian Peterson will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his knee, the team has placed left tackle Matt Kalil on injured reserve.
#Vikings coach Mike Zimmer says he placed LT Matt Kalil (hip) on Injured Reserve. That’s another significant injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2016
It’s not yet known whether Kalil will be able to return to the field this season. If not, it’s yet another major blow for the defending NFC North champions.
Not only has Minnesota lost its starting quarterback and future Hall of Fame running back to long-term injuries, its franchise left tackle is now out for an undetermined amount of time.
With an immobile Sam Bradford under center, there has to be some concern that this will impact Minnesota’s passing attack. Add in the loss of Peterson to injury, and that’s magnified even further.
You don’t need to be genius to realize that an offense void of balance and pass protection likely won’t succeed in today’s NFL.
Second-year player T.J. Clemmings will likely step in for Kalil at left tackle moving forward this season.