Vikings OL Phil Loadholt injures leg, replaced by T.J. Clemmings

— -- MINNEAPOLIS -- Two plays into their first home game of the preseason, the Minnesota Vikings already suffered what could be a significant loss to their offensive line.

Right tackle Phil Loadholt had to be helped off the field with an apparent injury to his left leg. Preliminary reports show Loadholt suffered a torn Achilles, according to a league source.

The injury occurred after a handoff to running back  Jerick McKinnon in the first quarter of Saturday night's 26-16 win over the  Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Defensive lineman Everson Griffen and backup tackle Babatunde Aiyegbusi helped Loadholt to a cart, and Loadholt was driven to the Vikings locker room with his left shoe off.

The Vikings announced Loadholt, 29, was out for the game with a lower leg injury.

A second-round pick in 2009, Loadholt missed the final five games last season because of a torn pectoral muscle. He is in the third season of a four-year, $25 million deal that made him one of the highest-paid right tackles in the league after he helped pave the way for Adrian Peterson's 2,097-yard season in 2012.

Fourth-round pick T.J. Clemmings took Loadholt's place at right tackle with the first-team offense after his departure.