The first official Minnesota Vikings Sunday of the regular season is here and there are still plenty of questions we won’t have the answers to until they’re in action against the visiting San Francisco 49ers.
Here’s a list of vitals that we’ll be looking for once the game kicks off, although some of these we think we already have the answers to.
1. Who starts on the offensive line?
From left to right, this is what the Vikings are likely going with: Riley Reiff, Tom Compton, Brett Jones, Mike Remmers, Rashod Hill.
Again, this unit has to answer more questions than any other on the team, especially Jones, who is starting in place of Pat Elflein and has been with the team for just a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, Hill’s leash could be short considering rookie second-round pick Brian O’Neill pushed him for the starting job all preseason.
2. What is Xavier Rhodes’ injury designation?
Rhodes, although he was a full participant during Friday’s practice, was listed as questionable with a hamstring injury on Friday’s injury report, but he will be a full go against the 49ers.
Cornerback Mackenzie Alexander is out with an injury, paving the way for rookie first-round pick Mike Hughes to start as the nickel corner.
3. How many carries will Dalvin Cook get?
We wrote about this in more detail on Friday, but even Cook said he’s not sure how many carries offensive coordinator John DeFilippo will give him. Remember, Cook took just two carries during the preseason and hasn’t played in the regular season since tearing his ACL last Oct. 1 against the Lions.
That said, DeFilippo is now on record saying Cook won’t have any restrictions, although they will be keeping a close eye on him.
Latavius Murray should also see plenty of action while fellow backs Mike Boone and Roc Thomas are inactive.
4. How will George Iloka be used on defense?
Since signing with the Vikings in August he’s been used as both a safety and a hybrid linebacker. He’s a veteran tackling machine with the ability to make big plays, and he should be mixed in and out of the lineup throughout the game.
5. Will Kirk Cousins look to throw to Laquon Treadwell?
Treadwell’s strong training camp and preseason has led to the Vikings using Adam Thielen more in the slot, with Treadwell and Diggs on the outside in three wide receiver sets.
There’s a ton of hope in Vikings nation for Treadwell to finally live up to the hype that comes with being a first-round draft pick. His chance to do so starts against the ‘Niners.
You can find all of our Minnesota Vikings content during the 2018 season in our Flipboard magazine, which you can read and follow below.
