Phil Loadholt: Vikings RT reportedly has torn Achilles tendon

Ian Rapoport reports that Vikings RT Phil Loadholt has a torn Achilles tendon.

#Vikings OT Phil Loadholt suffered a torn Achilles, source said. After he’d worked his way back from last year. Brutal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 16, 2015

Loadholt injured himself on the second play of Saturday night’s preseason game vs. Tampa Bay and was replaced by rookie T.J. Clemmings.

Loadholt looks like he's in some pain on the sideline, head in hands as he's checked out by athletic trainer Eric Sugarman.
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) August 16, 2015

It wasn’t immediately apparent what happened to Loadholt but he was able to leave the field under his own power.

RT @AroundTheNFL: Vikings starter Phil Loadholt carted to locker room. Visibly upset.
— Nandor The Relentless (@PureMassacre89) August 16, 2015

Vikings OT Phil Loadholt limps off; initial report "not good" http://t.co/b4DdSCJG6i
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 16, 2015

Damn. The Phil Loadholt injury doesn’t look good. #vikings #WeNeedHim #Skol pic.twitter.com/Gau3HHo5rC
— Aaron Groshong (@AaronGroshong) August 16, 2015

I talked to Phil Loadholt on Thursday. He was in a great mood about the season. Hopefully, it turns out to be nothing serious.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 16, 2015

The Vikings broadcast reported RT Phil Loadholt is being carted off the field with "tears in his eyes." That's not good
— David Kromelow 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@dkrom59) August 16, 2015

Loadholt is reportedly out for the season (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune):

"Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt injured his leg on the team’s first possession tonight and will not return to the game. A league source confirmed that the preliminary diagnosis was that Loadholt suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon."

After the game Vikings coach Mike Zimmer addressed the injury and was not ready to totally confirm the diagnosis of a torn Achilles. Zimmer said Loadholt would likely have an MRI on Sunday.

The coach said he thought rookie RT T.J. Clemmings “did well” in place of Loadholt.

Vikings LG Brandon Fusco spoke after the game about losing Loadholt:

"“He worked his tail off getting back here to be a hundred percent, but that’s the game of football,” Fusco said of his close friend. “Stuff happens, freak accidents, and it’s unfortunate. He’s a hard-working guy and he cares so much about the game of football, and he’s a big-time locker room guy. It’s a big loss.”"

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Phil Loadholt: Vikings RT reportedly has torn Achilles tendon

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