UPDATE
Head coach Mike Zimmer declined to say who will start at center, but reports from Wednesday’s Vikings practice say Brett Jones was taking reps at center with the first-team offense.
On Tuesday, NFL analyst Brian Baldinger reported that Danny Isidora will start.
Original story
Danny Isidora has never started a game at center, but he will on Sunday when the Vikings open the regular season against the 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium, according to NFL analyst Brian Baldinger.
.@vikings will start Danny Isidora at center this week making his 2nd NFL start; his first at center. It’s not “a can of corn” going into the pivot for the first time. Snaps can be an issue. I wish #63 well. #BaldyBreakdowns
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 4, 2018
Baldinger would likely know considering he’ll be providing analysis for the national radio broadcast of the game with Compass Media.
Isidora would be getting the start over Pat Elflein and Brett Jones.
Elflein will eventually take back the starting job once he’s ready for action. He spent the entire preseason on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing offseason foot and shoulder surgeries, but isn’t expected to miss much more time.
Jones was acquired by the Vikings in a trade with the Giants two weeks ago. He has experience playing center and both guard positions.
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said earlier this week that Isidora has come “really far” in a short period of time working at center.
“I think that might be a natural position for him. He’s never done it before, and for him to do it in basically a week, I thought it’s been impressive,” Zimmer said. “It’s been good this week as well.”
Isidora hasn’t started at center in a game that counts, but he did get the start there in Minnesota’s final preseason game against the Titans.
New OL acquisition Brett Jones played 89% of offensive snaps last night, starting at LG before switching to Center in 2nd half. Danny Isidora, who started at center, might have found his best fit on the depth chart. He looked solid in pass protection, much better than at RG.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) August 31, 2018
When asked if he has any concerns about quarterback Kirk Cousins possibly taking snaps from a center he’s never played with in the regular season before, Zimmer snapped back: “I don’t know, you’ll have to ask him.”
