Blake Brandel has re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
The team announced the move Friday, which is effectively the first step in bringing back depth along an offensive line that featured two of the best tackles in the league bookending an interior offensive line that had its fair share of struggles.
Brandel started three consecutive games at left tackle late in the season when Christian Darrisaw was recovering from multiple concussions. He actually played 39 snaps after Darrisaw’s first concussion in Week 10 at Buffalo, and he got ample time in Week 11 against Dallas after Darrisaw suffered a second concussions.
The 26-year-old then started against the Patriots, Jets and Lions before a knee injury knocked him out for the rest of the regular season. He as activated from injured reserve in time for Minnesota’s playoff game against the Giants and he was on the field for one offensive snap and four special teams snaps.
Brandel can play both left and right tackle, so if right tackle Brian O’Neill is slow to recover from his calf/Achilles injury the Vikings now have a reliable backup to fill the void.
