:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59790051/usa_today_10547860.0.jpg)
When the Minnesota Vikings make their way to the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center for the next portion of their Organized Team Activities, there will be one prominent player that won’t be taking part in the festivities.
Told no OTA participation next week for #Vikings center Pat Elflein, who had surgery on his left ankle on Jan. 29. But he's progressing very well.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) May 18, 2018
Pat Elflein, who took over the starting center job for the Vikings in his rookie season, still is not ready to take part in OTAs, according to Darren Wolfson of KSTP.
Elflein, the Vikings’ third round pick out of THE. . .dramatic pause. . .Ohio State University last season, grabbed the starting center job last year and started 14 of the team’s 16 games. He suffered the broken ankle in the NFC Championship Game.
Following the surgery, the reports seemed to indicate that Elflein would be ready for the start of Training Camp in July, so the fact that he’s not ready for OTAs isn’t reason to panic or anything yet. With the guard positions for the Vikings a bit of an unknown at this point, the purple are going to need Elflein’s presence up front if the offensive line is going to continue to improve.
There haven’t been any other specific reports on players not participating in OTAs as things stand now, but if we see or hear of any more we’ll bring them to you right here.