Vikings place guard Pat Elflein on injured reserve

The Minnesota Vikings have placed guard Pat Elflein on injured reserve, the team announced Thursday.

Elflein, who joins star defensive end Everson Griffen on injured reserve, will have to miss at least three games while on IR according to new NFL rules in 2020. There is no limit to IR activations this season.

Elflein started the Vikings’ season-opening loss to Green Bay at right guard and played all 52 offensive snaps. Elflein wasn’t listed on Minnesota’s injury report Wednesday.

Second-year offensive lineman Dru Samia is listed as the backup at right guard on the Vikings’ depth chart. Rookie Ezra Cleveland, the Vikings’ second-round pick in 2020, is another candidate to start in Elflein’s place as the backup to Dakota Dozier at left guard.

Minnesota hits the road to play the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.