:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60807373/usa_today_10991454.0.jpg)
We’re under an hour away from the first NFL action of the season. The Minnesota Vikings will take the field for their first preseason game of 2018 against the Denver Broncos.
Well, at least most of them.
The team has announced that ten players are expected NOT to play tonight.
#Vikings not expected to play in preseason opener in Denver:
— Eric Smith (@Eric_L_Smith) August 11, 2018
12 Tavarres King, WR
15 Brandon Zylstra, WR
27 Jayron Kearse, S
33 Dalvin Cook, RB
55 Anthony Barr, LB
62 Nick Easton, OL
65 Pat Elflein, C (PUP)
73 Colby Gossett, G
74 Mike Remmers, OL
98 Linval Joseph, DT
Nick Easton and Pat Elflein were obvious; Elflein remains on the PUP list and Nick Easton will be placed on IR after having surgery on a herniated disk.
Dalvin Cook has looked good in camp but the team holding him out isn’t a huge surprise. Anthony Barr and Linval Joseph have both missed some time during camp and are likely being held out only as a precaution. Tavarres King, Brandon Zylstra, Colby Gossett, and Mike Remmers have all been banged up this past week so they’re taking the night off to get healthy. King, Zylstra, and Gossett aren’t exactly locks to make the roster yet, so hopefully they can find their way to the field sooner rather than later. Jayron Kearse hasn’t missed any practices yet so his absence is a little more curious.
Kickoff is mere minutes away! We’ll have plenty of updates throughout the evening and after the game.