6 Vikings storylines to watch in the second half of the season
By Chris Schad
The progression of the offensive line
The Vikings’ offensive line has been in flux throughout the first half of the season. But it appears that they’re starting to figure out a starting combination that could help them thrive in the second half.
At the beginning of the year, Minnesota’s line was a mess. Before training camp, their coach, Tony Sparano, suddenly passed away and in the preseason starting left guard Nick Easton was lost to a season-ending knee injury.
In the weeks that followed, several linemen shuffled in and out of the lineup as the Vikings tried to find an answer to the team’s weakest link.
Nine weeks in, Minnesota doesn’t have a perfect answer, but they have taken steps in the right direction. Liability Rashod Hill has been benched at right tackle in favor of surprising rookie Brian O’Neill and starting center Pat Elflein returned in Week 3 after recovering from offseason ankle and shoulder surgeries.
Mix in the fact that left tackle Riley Reiff (foot) and left guard Tom Compton (knee) should be returning to full health in the near future and the Vikings should at least be able to spark the running game and protect Kirk Cousins more in the second half of the season.