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Minnesota Vikings sign OT Jake Long, No. 1 pick in 2008, to replace Andre Smith

By The Sports Xchange
Jake Long, shown here as a St. Louis Ram being carted off the field after an injury in 2013, has been picked up by the Minnesota Vikings. Other teams considered him but worried the 2008 No. 1 draft pick had durability issues. File photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
Jake Long, shown here as a St. Louis Ram being carted off the field after an injury in 2013, has been picked up by the Minnesota Vikings. Other teams considered him but worried the 2008 No. 1 draft pick had durability issues. File photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

Jake Long signed with the Minnesota Vikings after the team placed another starting offensive tackle on injured reserve.

Long, the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft, has 96 career starts and last played for the Falcons in 2015, appearing in four games. Durability was a concern for suitors in the offseason, when he visited the New England Patriots, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens.

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Right tackle Andre Smith, injured against the Giants in Week 4, missed Sunday's game and will undergo surgery for a torn triceps. Jeremiah Sirles started for Smith at right tackle against the Houston Texans last week with T.J. Clemmings making his third start at left tackle. Starter Matt Kalil (hip) was placed on injured reserve after Week 2.

Long played for current Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano with the Dolphins from 2008-11. He was also a teammate of Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford and backup Shaun Hill as a member of the St. Louis Rams (2013-14).

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