EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — The Vikings on Wednesday announced that left tackle Matt Kalil has been placed on injured reserve and that the team has signed veteran running back Ronnie Hillman.
Kalil's streak of 66 consecutive starts to open his career will come to an end Sunday when Minnesota visits Carolina to play a Panthers team that features his older brother, Ryan Kalil, at center.
The 2012 fourth overall pick played through a hip injury in weeks one and two. He missed just seven snaps (Week 16 against the New York Giants last season) in his first four seasons.
Hillman, a third-round draft pick by Denver in 2012, has played in 48 games and made 15 starts. He totaled 452 rushes for 1,842 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Broncos. Hillman's top season was 2015 when he rushed 207 times for 863 yards and seven scores. He was released by Denver earlier this month.
Head Coach Mike Zimmer said T.J. Clemmings will start in place of Kalil at left tackle, and Jerick McKinnon will start at running back when the Vikings (2-0) visit the Carolina Panthers (1-1) on Sunday.
The Vikings have their designated-to-return option for one player placed on injured reserve after the roster reduction to 53.
