Matt Kalil understands that last season wasn't up to the standard he placed upon himself as a rookie in 2012.

His play suffered after being a Pro Bowl player as a rookie, and he was beat a good bit on the offensive line. But part of that was due to the fact he battled knee injuries all year and wasn't 100 percent during the season. Speaking to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Kalil didn't want to cite injuries as an excuse, but did say that he dealt with plenty of issues that he had to battle through. 

"It was some problems with my knee swelling up, becoming inflamed,'' Kalil told the newspaper. "And that affected the way I move and stuff like that. But that's football. It happens. You got to play through it, so I'll be all right."

Kalil hasn't been a full participant in OTAs as he gets his knee up to 100 percent. He said he should be ready to go for training camp.

The Vikings will need Kalil to be back to his old self, especially if they decide to break in Teddy Bridgewater as the team's starting quarterback.

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