Mike Zimmer Feels “Pretty Good” About Health of Offensive Line, Team
Sean Borman
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Vikings should get Pat Elflein, Mike Remmers, and maybe Riley Reiff back Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was in a better mood Wednesday at his press conference. That may have something to do with the health of his beat-up offensive line.
Zimmer was calm today when asked how he felt about the offensive line heading into Sunday’s game against Cincinnati.
“I feel pretty good. I think we’ll get a lot of them back,” Zimmer continued. “We should get [Pat] Elfein back this week, I think we should get [Mike] Remmers back. There’s a good chance, a possibility of getting [Riley] Reiff back.”
Mike Remmers has missed the last five games with a concussion and lower back injury. He started the first eight games of the season. Rashod Hill has filled in for Remmers at right tackle.
Center Pat Elflein missed his first NFL game last week with a shoulder injury. The Vikings were forced to move players around in Elflein’s absence against Carolina. Nick Easton got the nod at center with Elflein missing the game. The starting offensive line of Reiff/Sirles/Easton/Berger/Hill struggled against the Panthers strong defensive front.
Left tackle Riley Reiff left Sunday’s game against Carolina with an ankle injury. The Vikings moved Hill to left tackle, Jeremiah Sirles to right tackle and plugged in rookie Danny Isidora at left guard when Reiff left the game in the third quarter.
Star Tribune writer Ben Goessling said Reiff was even seen walking without a boot or a limp.
Riley Reiff didn't have a walking boot on his ankle when he made a brief appearance in the locker room, and didn't appear to be walking with a limp.
— Ben Goessling (@GoesslingStrib) December 13, 2017
Getting all three players back was a wish for Vikings fans to start the week, now its looks as though it could be a reality. We’ll know more as the week progresses.
Other injuries
According to Zimmer it is not known whether tight end Kyle Rudolph, who left Carolina in a walking boot Sunday, will be available to play this week.
“We’re going to get a lot of guys back I think,” said Zimmer.
The Vikings take on the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at noon.