T.J.

Clemmings

This is a blow to their tackle depth, as Clemmings was brought in this season as a swing tackle. Clemmings will be entering his age-29 season when he returns next season.

OL Tommy Doles was waived to make room. Clemmings, 28, was a 2015 fourth-round pick of the Vikings who made 30 starts for Minnesota as a relative flop. He appeared in four games for the Raiders last season and will compete for a swing job in Chicago.

The Raiders’ de-facto swing tackle, Clemmings hadn’t played since Week 3.

Tyler Catalina will take his spot on the active roster. Clemmings made a couple starts at left tackle in place of an injured Trent Williams earlier this year. He joined the Redskins in September after the Vikings let him go at the end of training camp.

Smith’s path to a starting job seemed clear following Phil Loadholt’s retirement, but the Vikings are making him earn it. Nevertheless, the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports Smith has been getting “most” of the first-team reps. He’ll likely be the one lining up opposite LT Matt Kalil.

Smith’s road to starting duties was paved with gold following Phil Loadholt’s retirement, but 2015 starter T.J. Clemmings has proven a stubborn opponent. It didn’t help matters that Smith struggled mightily in Friday’s preseason opener. It will be an ominous career development for the 29-year-old former first-rounder if he can’t earn a starting job this season.

Clemmings was an unmitigated disaster at left tackle earlier this season, but the Vikings do not have many other options. With Chandler Jones coming to town, the coaching staff will need to give Clemmings as much help as possible on Sunday. Jeremiah Sirles should take over at right tackle.

Clemmings was a disaster as a 14-game starter last year, grading as bottom-three tackle at PFF. He hasn’t played guard since 2015, but the Vikings could move him inside to increase his versatility. Mike Remmers will open the season as Minnesota’s starting right tackle.

Clemmings didn’t pan out at tackle and obviously didn’t do enough to convince the Vikings he could stick at guard. The 24-year-old earned PFF’s worst grade out of 76 qualifiers at tackle in 2016.

Clemmings has been one of the worst tackles in the league over the last two years, but he is only 25 and a former fourth-round pick. Washington has a reclamation project on their hands.