LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 27: Pat Elflein #65 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts on the sideline after the Vikings fumbled the ball during closing minutes of the game against Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings received good news about Pat Elflein…and then cut him loose
Minnesota didn’t have much need for Elflein after activating him off injured reserve. Ezra Cleveland has essentially taken over his position. However, you can never have too much offensive line depth…unless you’re the Minnesota Vikings.
Upon being activated earlier this week, Elflein and Gary Kubiak expressed some frustration with the status of his injury.
“Pat’s coming off that thumb surgery, and he’ll have a good practice one day, it’ll bother him a little bit the next day, may miss some time, then he’ll come back, so he’s working through this as he gets back on the field and has been out there a little bit the past couple days, so I just think it’s a work in progress,” Gary Kubiak said. “He’s doing everything he can.”
Everything he can evidently isn’t enough, and the Vikings are moving on without the Ohio State product.
Where could Elflein land?
Assuming he’s actually healthy, there are plenty of teams that could use a veteran offensive lineman. The NFC North foe Bears have a putrid offensive line, and despite Elflein’s struggles with injury, he might be worth a flyer for Ryan Pace and Co.
Some Vikings fans are happy to see Elflein go, as he’s struggled with inconsistency despite starting 43 games over the past four seasons. Initially, some wondered if he’d reclaim his starting spot in time for Minnesota’s Monday night game against the Chicago Bears.
Instead, Elflein will be looking for a new home altogether.