Phil Loadholt retires from NFL after 7 seasons with Vikings

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 regularseason 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.