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Vikings offensive line stepping up is the best way to help their defensive line

The NFL keeps track of its "ironmen" at each position. A Vikings player currently sits atop all defensive tackles with 74 consecutive starts, but COVID-19 will bring that to an end Sunday at San Francisco.

Yes, among the four defensive line starters who won't face the 49ers is Dalvin Tomlinson, a guy who has never missed a start in 74 NFL games. That's how depleted the Vikings defensive line is.

It helps, of course, that the Vikings have some depth. Sheldon Richardson, for instance, will play in his 67th consecutive game, replacing Tomlinson atop the league's defensive tackles for most consecutive games played.