LANDOVER, Md. -- It appears the Minnesota Vikings' search for help on the offensive line will continue.
The Vikings lost left tackle Jake Long on Sunday to a left Achilles injury on their second-to-last offensive play during their 26-20 loss to the Washington Redskins, and coach Mike Zimmer said after the game he believes the injury will be season-ending.
If Long is done for the season, it would be the latest blow in a career that has been full of devastating injuries for the former No. 1 overall pick. The Vikings signed Long in October after he'd recovered from two torn ACLs, and the team made the 31-year-old its starting left tackle on Oct. 31. Long was in only his fourth game with the Vikings on Sunday when he was injured again.
"We were in St. Louis together, and obviously both went through some injuries there," quarterback Sam Bradford said. "I know how difficult it is, and obviously, he was excited just to be back. For him to get injured today, it was really tough."
Long was carted off the field during the Vikings' final drive, and he was on crutches in the Vikings' locker room after the game. He declined an interview request in the locker room.
With Long out, the Vikings put Jeremiah Sirles at left tackle, keeping T.J. Clemmings on the right side at the end of the game. The team has been sorting through options since losing left tackle Matt Kalil to a torn hip labrum in September, and will continue to look for a solution. Left guard Alex Boone, who has played tackle in the NFL before, sounded open to the possibility of making that move.
"Who cares? I'm ready to roll," he said. "Me and [offensive line coach] Tony [Sparano] are going to have a conversation probably tonight or tomorrow about what we're going to do, but we'll get it figured out. I'm not worried."
That conversation has already taken place, according to a league source and Boone has said he's willing to play tackle if the Vikings need him to make the move. The Vikings will consider their options this week.