Vikings will be down a starting offensive lineman vs. the Bears

On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings announced that the team will be without starting right guard Josh Kline on Sunday against the Chicago Bears due to a concussion.

As far as injuries are concerned, the majority of the roster has been able to remain pretty healthy for the Minnesota Vikings this year. Guys have missed games (Mackensie Alexander, Anthony Barr, Pat Elflein), but most of the Vikings’ top talent has been able to avoid suffering any serious injuries that could derail their season.

This week, however, Minnesota will have to take the field without one of their top blockers. The Vikings announced on Friday that starting right guard Josh Kline will not suit up for Sunday’s matchup against the Chicago Bears due to a concussion.

Kline suffered the injury during Minnesota’s win over the Oakland Raiders last week. The Vikings’ starting guard didn’t participate in any of the team’s practices this week, so his early designation shouldn’t really come as a surprise.

Expected to start in his place this weekend will be reserve offensive lineman Dakota Dozier. In Week 2, Dozier started in place of injured left guard Pat Elflein and he took over as Minnesota’s right guard against the Raiders last Sunday after Kline had to leave the game.

It will be interesting to see how the Vikings’ look in their first matchup without Kline this season. He and tackle Brian O’Neill have been holding down Minnesota’s right side of the offensive line this year and they have easily been the two best-performing blockers for the team through the first three weeks.

Hopefully, Dozier is able to step in at right guard and help the Vikings’ rushing attack continue to be one of the best in the NFL this season when they take on the Bears this week.