The Minnesota Vikings released former starting guard Pat Elflein on Saturday morning. The move came hours after Elflein was activated from the team’s injured reserve list due to a thumb injury.
Source: The #Vikings have released G Pat Elflein. The veteran now goes on waivers. Just off IR, he’s healthy now and this gives him the opportunity to get some real playing time elsewhere.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 14, 2020
Elflein was a third-round pick by the Vikings in 2017 and jumped into the starting lineup at center. Things went south after a strong rookie season, however, as he suffered ankle and shoulder injuries in that year’s NFC Championship Game.
Elflein struggled upon his return in 2018 and shifted over to left guard with the arrival of Garrett Bradbury. That move didn’t do him any favors as Elflein allowed 32 pressures last season.
After a shift to right guard, Elflein played just one game for the Vikings this season, allowing five pressures in the season opening loss to the Packers. Elflein then suffered a thumb injury which wrapped up his time in Minnesota.
With Elflein out of the picture, the Vikings will go with Dakota Dozier and rookie Ezra Cleveland as their starting guards.
