Missed 2015 season with torn Achilles
MINNEAPOLIS — Right tackle Phil Loadholt has decided to retire from the NFL after seven seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings placed Loadholt on the reserve/retired list Monday, four days before training camp begins. Loadholt, a second-round draft pick by the Vikings out of Oklahoma in 2009, missed the entire 2015 season because of a torn Achilles tendon. He missed the last five games of the 2014 season due to a torn pectoral muscle.
Prior to those injuries, Loadholt missed only one game. He was a starter from his rookie year on. His 89 career regular-season starts are ninth in Vikings history for an offensive tackle.
Newcomer Andre Smith and incumbent T.J. Clemmings will compete for the starting spot at right tackle.