He’s been a starter since he entered the league as a second-round pick out of Oklahoma and was coming back this season after missing the final five games of last season with a torn pectoral muscle. Harris has also been playing well enough at right guard and the starting line seemed to be solidifying itself right up until Loadholt’s injury on Saturday evening.
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“You heart just breaks for a guy that cares so much, literally puts his entire heart and soul into being a professional football player”, said center John Sullivan. Clemmings replaced Loadholt at right tackle, and now he is the favorite to start at the position during the regular season for the Minnesota Vikings. The defense gave up a couple touchdowns as the game went on (including an eight-yard Winston run for a score), but the result of the game was never in doubt and actually was a little more lopsided than the score indicated. Asked if there was another option other than Clemmings at right tackle, Zimmer seemed to stand behind his rookie.
The Vikings first have to decide just how committed they are to keeping Brandon Fusco at left guard and Mike Harris at right guard. Many, including the Vikings, viewed Clemmings as a first-round talent that slid to the fourth round because of his combine physical.
Minnesota ruled Loadholt out for the game with a lower leg injury. However, the team has a capable replacement waiting in the wings. According to Around the NFL, Loadholt looked “visibly upset”. If Clemmings isn’t ready to be a starting tackle, then this option might be best in terms of building a dependably consistent line of protection.
One of the speculative scenarios first introduced in the wake of Loadholt’s injury was for the Vikings to bring in free-agent Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis and move Harris back out to right tackle. Zimmer made the team run laps for a lackadaisical attitude on the last day at camp.
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But all of that took a secondary spot behind the news that the Vikings will be without their big veteran right tackle for the rest of the year. Only four teams allowed more sacks in 2014 than the Vikings. That’s a good way to make a good impression when you’re in the midst of a position battle. Fourth-round pick T.J. “I’m not sure about anything after tonight”.
