Jake Long to Vikings: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

With injuries piling up at offensive tackle, the Minnesota Vikings signed veteran Jake Long to a deal Tuesday.

The team announced the move on its official website, as well as the decision to place starting right tackle Andre Smith on injured reserve because of an arm injury. That came on the heels of starting left tackle Matt Kalil previously going on IR. 

Long commented on the news, via Twitter: 

Long agreed to a one-year contract with Baltimore on July 26 but refused to sign an injury waiver and was allowed to re-enter free agency.

The Ravens were uncomfortable with the former No. 1 overall pick's right knee, which suffered ACL tears in 2013 and 2014. Long spent the 2015 season with the Atlanta Falcons but was on the field for just 11 snaps. 

ESPN.com's Adam Schefter reported on Facebook that Long passed a physical with the Falcons in January and another with Dr. James Andrews in July. 

"I'm finally healthy," Long told ESPN.com's Michael Rothstein in June. "This is the healthiest and best I've felt in probably about five, six years. My knee's back. I've just been working out, feeling good and ready for the opportunity when it comes along."

A four-time Pro Bowler, Long previously played for the Miami Dolphins and Rams. He made 16 starts in each of his first three seasons and never missed more than four games until 2014. Still just 31 years old, Long could have three or four years of good football in him if he can stay healthy. 

"When I wake up and my knee doesn't hurt, you know what I mean," Long said, per Rothstein. "I feel the strength back. You can see it. You can feel it. My body feels good the way I'm moving, working out and how good I feel moving on it. It's as easy as that."

Long will likely be used as line depth at this point, with a chance at starting should additional injuries strike Minnesota's line. He may be better served as a right tackle or even as a guard for the remainder of his career, given the likely decline in burst the knee injuries have caused.

Nonetheless, there probably isn't better talent available on the veteran scrap heap at this point.

With Kalil and Smith on the shelf, the Vikings' starting tackles are second-year man T.J. Clemmings and Jeremiah Sirles, neither of whom has established himself as a long-term answer yet.

Because of that, Long may get a chance to start for the 5-0 Vikings at some point this season, especially if protecting quarterback Sam Bradford becomes an issue.

Minnesota has managed to overcome a lot of adversity on the injury front thus far, and while Long may not be as effective now as he was prior to suffering multiple knee injuries, he has a track record of success and the ability to step in when called upon.