Zimmer: Pat Elflein won’t practice this week, “likely” won’t start on PUP List
Yesterday, we spoke briefly about how we were getting down to crunch time on the status of Minnesota Vikings’ center Pat Elflein. Elflein, who has not yet practiced this offseason while recovering from multiple surgeries, is still on the team’s Physically Unable to Perform List, and if he’s on that list next Saturday when the Vikings set their 53-man roster, he would be forced to miss the first six weeks of the regular season (while not counting against the 53-man roster).
On Sunday morning, Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer gave an update on Elflein’s status, and it’s a little bit strange, to say the least.
Zimmer stated that Elflein would not practice this week in the lead up to Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville. Elflein likely wouldn’t have played in the game anyway, but the fact that he’s not going to be practicing is still a concern.
However. . .
Zimmer also said that he didn’t think that Elflein would start the season on the PUP List, and therefore would not have to miss the first six weeks of the season.
If Elflein doesn’t practice all offseason, it’s hard to tell just how ready he would be for the regular season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on 9 September. This could lead to a situation where the team thinks that Elflein isn’t ready to play, but isn’t six weeks away from being ready to play, either. In that case, they could move him to the active roster and simply deactivate him each week until he’s ready to go again. In that case, he would count against the team’s 53-man roster.
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2018/8/26/17783618/zimmer-pat-elflein-wont-practice-this-week-likely-wont-start-on-pup-list-minnesota-vikings
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Why is it strange---seems normal to me player is close but not game ready move off PUP so as not to lose said player for a 6 week chunk. Hell I could easily see him ready in 2 weeks to play even without preseason if he is following practice from sidelines and game film
@"Akvike" said: Why is it strange---seems normal to me player is close but not game ready move off PUP so as not to lose said player for a 6 week chunk.Agreed, didn't find it strange at all. Nice to actually hear an update on him.
Pat Elflein won’t practice this week
The Vikings got a couple of offensive linemen back on the field last week, but center Pat Elflein remained on the sidelines.
That will be the case this week as well. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said on Sunday that Elflein, who has dealt with shoulder and ankle injuries this offseason, will not practice this week and will not play in the team’s final preseason game on Thursday.
“He’s going to practice when he’s ready to,” Zimmer said, via the Pioneer Press. “I don’t know when that’s going to be.”
Zimmer may not know exactly when Elflein will practice, but he doesn’t expect Elflein to miss a lot of regular season time. Zimmer said Elflein is unlikely to remain on the physically unable to perform list into the regular season. If he did remain on the list, he would be ineligible to play in the first six weeks of the year.
so has cousins and him done any snapping together? theyll figure it out but were getting right up to the deadline
You wonder if Zim was just blowing smoke
Dont know if the Jones can move to G when Elf comes back? OR....Does Elf go to Guard in Comptons place and Jones stays @ C?
Damn...Lots of moving parts on OL with only 2 weeks till kick-off
@"kmillard" said: elflein must be out for year (hope not)That what scares me but I don't see how unless he really inured his shoulder or ankle but then it would be like what the fickle how could that happen rehabbing
@"kmillard" said: elflein must be out for year (hope not)Or it's just extremely cautious in preparation for the season.
@"Vikergirl" said:Agreed VG, I think Elf's injuries in the NFC CG were very, very serious ones. I remember a few comments after that game from reporters - he sustained some very tough injuries. I think Tom might have given his parents a ride back after the game if I am recalling right...@"kmillard" said: elflein must be out for year (hope not) Or it's just extremely cautious in preparation for the season.
How did they not know this? I'm fine with how long it might take for Elflein, but it appears to have caught the organization by surprise how long its taken. No Plan B before this?
@"StickyBun" said: How did they not know this? I'm fine with how long it might take for Elflein, but it appears to have caught the organization by surprise how long its taken. No Plan B before this?All reports all offseason said he should be back by camp. Maybe he reinjured it rehabbing or something entirely different. I don't think there was ever any concerns about him or Easton being ready for this season.
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