A day after the Vikings activated Pat Elflein from injured reserve, despite the fact his surgically-repaired left thumb was still preventing him from practicing, it became clear why they’d put him back on the active roster: so they could release him and give him a chance to play elsewhere.
A source said the team will announce later this morning it has released Elflein, who has been on injured reserve since Sept. 17 after tearing a ligament in his thumb. Elflein, whom the Vikings had traded up to select in the third round of the 2017 draft, was replaced at center after the 2018 season when the Vikings took Garrett Bradbury in the first round, and shifted to right guard this year after a disappointing season at left guard.