The Vikings announced that left tackle Matt Kalil underwent successful surgery Friday to repair a labrum tear in his right hip. Head coach Mike Zimmer said Kalil, whom the Vikings placed on injured reserve Wednesday, could return after missing the requisite eight weeks, though Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press notes that running back Adrian Peterson‘s situation complicates matters (Twitter links).
Peterson underwent surgery on a meniscus tear Thursday, and if the Vikings put him on IR, only one of him or Kalil would be eligible to come back this year. Minnesota could avoid having to choose between them, however, as Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports that Kalil’s season is over. He’s facing a six-month recovery, sources told Pelissero (Twitter link).
If Kalil’s season is done, it’s possible the soon-to-be free agent has played his last snap as a Viking. Since going fourth overall in the 2012 draft, Kalil has started in all 66 regular-season appearances, making this the first year he won’t achieve a perfect attendance record. Despite his durability, Kalil hasn’t been an overly effective blocker since earning a Pro Bowl trip as a rookie. The ex-USC standout allowed the second-most pressures among tackles in 2014 and finished 18th from the bottom last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Regardless of whether Kalil returns this year, Minnesota will at least have to play a large portion of it without him. The club is now primed to turn to T.J. Clemmings at left tackle. As a rookie last season, Clemmings started 16 games at right tackle.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.