The Minnesota Vikings starting center was a full participant in practice for the first time this season during the team’s session on Wednesday.
So far this season, the offensive line for the Minnesota Vikings has been decent, nothing special. The Vikings’ run game isn’t close to being as effective as it was last year and their pass protection has had a few hiccups.
That could change this week though for Minnesota when they host the Buffalo Bills inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
Vikings starting center Pat Elflein was a full participant during practice on Wednesday, according to the team’s injury report. This is the first time Elflein has participated in an entire practice with Minnesota since last season.
Minnesota Vikings
The 24-year-old center has been recovering from offseason surgeries on both his ankle and shoulder. Wednesday’s news appears to be a good sign for Elflein’s chances of returning to the field for the Vikings sooner than later.
If he is able to go, Minnesota’s matchup against the Bills on Sunday seems like a perfect time for Elflein to return to the starting lineup.
Buffalo is not expected to present too much of a challenge for the Vikings, so this could be an opportunity for the center to get back into the groove before Minnesota takes on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
If Elflein does return this week, he could also be playing a different position than center. Following the season-ending injury to left guard Nick Easton a few weeks ago, it’s possible that the Vikings could consider inserting Elflein as the team’s new starting left guard when he returns.
For now though, the young offensive lineman’s recovery seems to be moving in the right direction and that’s all Minnesota can hope for moving forward.