Jake Long likely lost for the season with Achilles' injury
Coach Mike Zimmer said after today’s 26-20 loss to the Redskins that left tackle Jake Long has likely been lost for the season after he suffered a injury to his left Achilles’ tendon during the final drive of the game.
Long, who joined the team last month, was carted to the locker room as the Vikings tried to score a go-ahead touchdown. He was replaced by Jeremiah Sirles, whom Redskins outside linebacker Preston Smith beat for a sack on fourth down, sealing a fourth straight loss for the Vikings.
This could be it for Long, a four-time Pro Bowler whose career has been derailed by injuries. The 31-year-old has twice torn the ACL in his left knee and also dealt with a back injury and a torn biceps early in his career.
“We were in St. Louis together and obviously both went through some injuries there, and I know how difficult that is,” quarterback Sam Bradford said. “Obviously he was excited just to be back playing and starting. For him to get injured today, obviously it’s really tough.”
Long, if his injury is indeed season-ending, will be the third Vikings tackle to go on injured reserve this season, joining Matt Kalil and Andre Smith.
With the Vikings likely looking for another starting left tackle, left guard Alex Boone said he planned to chat with offensive line coach Tony Sparano tonight about the possibility of sliding over to left tackle, the position he played during his college career at Ohio State.