Minnesota Vikings Sign Jake Long, Place Andre Smith on IR

Following their victory Sunday that put them at 5-0, the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday announced the signing of veteran tackle Jake Long and the placement of Andre Smith on injured reserve. Long, the No. 1 overall pick by Miami in the 2008 NFL Draft, has played in 100 games, including 96 starts, according to a news release.

Long spent his first five seasons with the Dolphins, starting all 74 games he played for Miami at left tackle. After quarterback Sam Bradford, Long is the second former number overall draft pick to sign with the Vikings this season.

Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano was in his first of four seasons as Dolphins head coach when Miami drafted Long, who opened his career with four straight selections to the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro season in 2010, according to the Vikings.

The Detroit native started 22 games for St. Louis from 2013-14, teaming with Vikings quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Shaun Hill. Long appeared in four games with Atlanta in 2015.

Smith, the sixth overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft by Cincinnati, signed with the Vikings this offseason. He suffered an arm injury against the New York Giants and is scheduled to undergo surgery today.

Jeremiah Sirles replaced Smith against the Giants and started on Sunday against the Texans.

The Vikings already placed left tackle Matt Kalil on injured reserve after Week two.

Second-year pick T.J. Clemmings has started the past three games at left tackle in place of Kalil.

Photo by Karl Brummer, used with permission