Minnesota Vikings Lose Phil Loadholt For Season With Pectoral Injury

Oct 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Phil Loadholt (71) blocks against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Minnesota Vikings defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings lost right tackle Phil Loadholt for the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle that will require surgery.

The already struggling offensive line of the Minnesota Vikings got even weaker this week. News out of Minnesota on Monday morning is that right tackle Phil Loadholt is done for the year with a torn pectoral muscle injury that will require surgery.

#Vikings RT Phil Loadholt has torn his pec, source says, and will require surgery. His season is over.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 24, 2014

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The Vikings have had major problems on the offensive line this season. Left tackle Matt Kalil has struggled and the right side has been ravaged by injuries. Starting right guard Brandon Fusco was lost for the year back in September with with same injury that Loadholt has. Fusco’s replacement, Vlad Ducasse, was lost with a knee injury in October.

The Vikings must now find a way to piece together a working offensive line without a player who has been a consistent performer all season.

Minnesota’s offensive line problems are complicating the Vikings’ long-term vision. At 4-7, the Vikings are already out of the playoff race in the NFC, but they were hoping to use this season to develop rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

The Vikings now must be concerned worried that Bridgewater will take too much of a beating from opposing pass rushers. Being constantly rushed and hit isn’t conducive to a young quarterback adjusting to the speed on complexity of the NFL.

The Minnesota Vikings lost right tackle Phil Loadholt for the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle that will require surgery.

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