Veteran offensive lineman with starting experience at both OT spots joined the Bengals in March for what will be his 10th NFL season ... Also said after signing with Bengals that he is willing to play G ... Originally a first-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2012 ... Spent his first five NFL seasons (2012-16) with Detroit, and then joined Minnesota for his next four ('17-20) ... Played LT the last four seasons with Vikings, but Bengals coaches have said they plan to use him at ROT ... Started 15 games at LT for Vikings last season, and blocked for RB Dalvin Cook's NFC-best 1557 rushing yards ... Signed a one-year deal with Cincinnati in March.
Career transactions: Selected by Detroit in first round of 2012 NFL Draft (23rd overall) ... Signed by Lions on 7-23-12 ... Lions exercised option to extend contract by one year through 2016 on 4-27-15 ... Lions contract expired on 3-9-17; became unrestricted free agent ... Signed with Minnesota as unrestricted free agent on 3-10-17 ... Signed contract renegotiation with Vikings on 9-2-20 ... Signed contract renegotiation with Vikings on 2-11-21 ... Contract terminated by Vikings on 3-11-21 ... Signed with Cincinnati as free agent on 3-19-21.
2020 highlights: Played and started 15 games at LT for Minnesota ... Helped Vikings rank fourth in the NFL in total offense and fifth in rushing offense ... Blocked for RB Dalvin Cook's NFC-best 1557 rushing yards and 16 TDs.
Previous seasons: 2012—Played in 16 games (eight starts) as a rookie with Detroit ... Opened rookie season as a rotational offensive lineman, with seven of his eight starts coming as an extra TE in heavy formations ... Made first career start at LT for injured Jeff Backus on Thanksgiving Day vs. Houston. 2013—Started all 16 games at LT for Detroit ... Helped the Lions rank sixth in the NFL in total offense, third in passing offense and second in fewest sacks allowed (23) ... Blocked for Reggie Bush's 1006 rushing yards, and supporting blocking effort for Matthew Stafford's 3650 passing yards and 29 TDs. 2014—Played and started 15 games at LT for Detroit ... Missed Thanksgiving Day game vs. Chicago ... Started at LT in Lions' playoff game at Dallas. 2015—Started all 16 games at LT for Detroit ... Aided in blocking effort for the NFL's No. 9 passing offense, as Matthew Stafford threw for 4327 yards and 32 TDs. 2016—Played and started 14 games at RT for Detroit ... Missed two regular-season games and playoff game due to injury ... Blocked for Lions offense that featured five players with at least 50 catches, marking just the fifth time in NFL history that had happened. 2017—Signed with Minnesota as an unrestricted free agent, and went on to play and start 15 games at LT for the Vikings ... Started both of Minnesota's playoff games (Divisional and NFC Championship). 2018—Played and started 13 games at LT for Minnesota ... Helped Kirk Cousins become the first player in NFL history to pass for 4000 yards, 30 TDs and 10 or fewer INTs while posting a completion percentage of at least 70. 2019—Played and started 15 games at LT for Minnesota ... Helped Vikings rank fourth in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed (28) ... Helped Vikings RB Dalvin Cook break the 1000-yard mark and rush for 13 TDs.
College: Spent four seasons (2008-11) at Iowa, with a redshirt year in '08 ... Played in 39 career games (37 stats) ... Started all 13 games as a senior in 2011, and earned first-team All-Big 10 honors while helping lead team to an Orange Bowl victory.
Personal: Hometown is Parkston, S.D. ... Attended Parkston High School, where he played DE as a sophomore and TE as a senior ... Named South Dakota's Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior ... Also played golf, and won three state wrestling titles, amassing a 121-1 record.
