REPORT: Brett Jones to start at center for the Vikings in Week 1

Acquired in a trade less than a month ago, the Minnesota Vikings will reportedly start Brett Jones at center in their Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Included in their final roster moves last Saturday, the Minnesota Vikings announced that second-year center Pat Elflein was being removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

It’s a good sign for Elflein’s health moving forward, but his removal from the PUP list does not necessarily mean that the young center is now good to go for Week 1.

In fact, it doesn’t look like Elflein will be who the Vikings choose to start at center in their 2018 season opener this weekend against the San Francisco 49ers.

According to a report from the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling on Thursday, Brett Jones is expected to be Minnesota’s starting center against the 49ers on Sunday.

Jones was acquired by the Vikings in a trade with the New York Giants on August 26. Despite his lack of time in the offense, Minnesota is still apparently comfortable enough to roll forward with Jones as their center this week.

Thursday’s news disputes another report that came out earlier this week from NFL Media’s Brian Baldinger that stated Danny Isidora would be the Vikings’ starting center against San Francisco.

Between Isidora and Jones, Minnesota going with Jones makes more sense. Especially considering that Isidora has never played at center during an NFL regular season game.

Obviously, the Vikings would have liked Elflein to open the season as their starting center. But making sure he is healthy enough for the majority of 2018 is more important than rushing him back on the field this Sunday.

Last year with the Giants, Jones had the second-most snaps of any New York offensive lineman (966) and yet he only gave up a total of 10 quarterback pressures (including just two sacks).

His 10 pressures were also the third-fewest amount given up by any center in the NFL last season with at least 396 snaps in pass protection according to Pro Football Focus.

Minnesota may not have their first choice starting at center on Sunday. But their second option should be able to get the job done too.

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