Minnesota experimented with Pat Elflein this season, moving him from left to right guard. Elflein was inconsistent at left guard last season, but looked better on the right side in the Week 1 loss to the Packers.
However, Elflein’s test at right guard will be put on hold. ESPN’s Field Yates first reported that Elflein has been placed on injured reserve. The Vikings later made the announcement on the team’s Twitter page.
That means that Elflein will have to sit out at least three games. It will be interesting to see who the Vikings go with at right guard with him reportedly being out.
Guard Dru Samia is the probable option. Other possibilities include the rookie Ezra Cleveland and Aviante Collins, the latter of whom is on the practice squad.
Elflein has garnered plenty of scorn for his past performances with the Vikings. But I think he will still be missed on an offensive line that looked promising in the opener. In his place will likely be a player who was unable to take Elflein’s spot in training camp.
The #Vikings have placed G Pat Elflein on IR. pic.twitter.com/U51ltVxtNk
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 17, 2020
