The Vikings offensive has broken down like this:
| LT | LG | C | RG | RT | |
| Week 1 | Matt Kalil | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | Andre Smith |
| Week 2 | Matt Kalil | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | Andre Smith |
| Week 3 | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | Andre Smith |
| Week 4 | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | Andre Smith |
| Week 5 | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | Jeremiah Sirles |
| Week 7 | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | Jeremiah Sirles |
| Week 8 | Jake Long | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | T.J. Clemmings |
| Week 9 | Jake Long | Jeremiah Sirles | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | T.J. Clemmings |
| Week 10 | Jake Long | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | T.J. Clemmings |
| Week 11 | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | Jeremiah Sirles |
| Week 12 | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Joe Berger | Brandon Fusco | Jeremiah Sirles |
| Week 13 | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Nick Easton | Brandon Fusco | Jeremiah Sirles |
| Week 14 | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Nick Easton | Brandon Fusco | Jeremiah Sirles |
| Week 15* | T.J. Clemmings | Alex Boone | Nick Easton | Joe Berger | Jeremiah Sirles |
*-projected
That's excessive. Right guard Brandon is in the concussion protocol and will miss his first start of the season. A concussion kept center Joe Berger out of the lineup the last two weeks. He cleared the concussion protocol this week. He could return to his usual spot at center against the Colts but a shift to guard might provide the best 5-man combination that the Vikings are able to put on the field.
The Vikings offensive line has struggled all season. Quarterback Sam Bradford has had little to no time to throw. The holes for the running backs have been fleeting to non-existent. Familiarity is often critical to an efficient and effective offensive line. Perhaps more than any other position group in football. Injuries started thrashing the Vikings offensive line familiarity soon after the season started. And the original starting five wasn't playing all that great in the two games that they were together. They were just getting to know each other. Original starting tackles Matt Kalil and Andre Smith are on injured reserve. Jake Long was signed off the street before the Week 6 bye to take over at left tackle. He joined Kalil and Smith on injured reserve after his third start. A run of concussions has disrupted the week-to-week continuity of the line throughout the season. Each week required new introductions.
The good thing for the Vikings is that the play of the offensive line has improved in recent weeks. They've done a much better job of keeping Bradford clean and upright. The running game has still struggled but there have been a few bright moments. The backs have at least been able to make it back to the line of scrimmage more often. Tackles for loss stalled too many drives and wrecked too many games earlier in the season. The running game is expected to get a boost today with the return of all-everything back Adrian Peterson. He's been out since a Week 2 knee injury. Hopefully he can be his usual late-season self despite missing three months of football action. His legs should be fresh.
The Vikings seventh offensive line combination has to create some space for Peterson and protection for Bradford if they want to be part of the playoff fun.
The Vikings offensive line has struggled all season. Quarterback Sam Bradford has had little to no time to throw. The holes for the running backs have been fleeting to non-existent. Familiarity is often critical to an efficient and effective offensive line. Perhaps more than any other position group in football. Injuries started thrashing the Vikings offensive line familiarity soon after the season started. And the original starting five wasn't playing all that great in the two games that they were together. They were just getting to know each other. Original starting tackles Matt Kalil and Andre Smith are on injured reserve. Jake Long was signed off the street before the Week 6 bye to take over at left tackle. He joined Kalil and Smith on injured reserve after his third start. A run of concussions has disrupted the week-to-week continuity of the line throughout the season. Each week required new introductions.
The good thing for the Vikings is that the play of the offensive line has improved in recent weeks. They've done a much better job of keeping Bradford clean and upright. The running game has still struggled but there have been a few bright moments. The backs have at least been able to make it back to the line of scrimmage more often. Tackles for loss stalled too many drives and wrecked too many games earlier in the season. The running game is expected to get a boost today with the return of all-everything back Adrian Peterson. He's been out since a Week 2 knee injury. Hopefully he can be his usual late-season self despite missing three months of football action. His legs should be fresh.
The Vikings seventh offensive line combination has to create some space for Peterson and protection for Bradford if they want to be part of the playoff fun.
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