EAGAN, Minn. — Vikings rookie Ezra Cleveland, who has started the past four games at right guard, has been ruled out of Minnesota's Week 11 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak told media members Cleveland suffered an ankle injury early in Minnesota's win at Chicago but battled through it and played the entire game.
He did not practice for the third consecutive day on Friday.
Kubiak said the Vikings have been working veteran Brett Jones and second-year pro Olisaemeka Udoh at right guard. Either would be the fourth player to start at the position for the Vikings this season.
Pat Elflein opened the season there after moving from left guard but suffered an injury in a Week 2 practice that required surgery. He was released earlier this month. The Vikings then turned to second-year pro Dru Samia, who started four games before suffering a wrist injury.
Update:The team announced C.J. Ham's activation on Saturday.
View photos of the Vikings preparing to take on the Cowboys during practice at TCO Performance Center.
Despite being drafted out of Boise State as a left tackle, Cleveland made his first start against Atlanta and has impressed in helping Minnesota win three games since.
Tight end Irv Smith, Jr. (groin) and cornerback Cameron Dantzler (concussion) are listed as questionable.
Defensive tackle Hercules Mata'afa (ankle), center Garrett Bradbury (shoulder) and defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (shoulder) did not receive a designation for Sunday's game and are expected to be available.
Fullback C.J. Ham is on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, but Head Coach Mike Zimmer said Friday there's a chance he could be available by Sunday.
The team also announced that receivers coach Andrew Janocko will be unable to attend Sunday's game.
| VIKINGS | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ezra Cleveland | G | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| C.J. Ham | FB | Reserve/COVID-19 | DNP | Reserve/COVID-19 | Reserve/COVID-19 | - |
| Irv Smith Jr. | TE | Groin | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
| Hercules Mata’afa | DT | Ankle | LP | LP | FP | - |
| Garrett Bradbury | C | Shoulder | LP | FP | FP | - |
| Cameron Dantzler | CB | Concussion | LP | LP | FP | Questionable |
| Ifeadi Odenigbo | DE | Shoulder | FP | FP | FP | - |
Friday's Cowboys Injury Report: Dallas on Friday ruled out center Tyler Biadasz with a hamstring injury.
DEs Randy Gregory (illness) and DeMarcus Lawrence (illness) were listed as questionable. Gregory was limited Friday; Lawrence was added to the report Thursday and didn't practice that session or on Friday.
None of the other players on the Cowboys injury report — G Zack Martin (calf), QB Andy Dalton (concussion), RB Ezekiel Elliott (hamstring) and LB Joe Thomas (wrist) — received a game designation.
| COWBOYS | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Biadasz | C | Hamstring | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| Randy Gregory | DE | Illness | DNP | DNP | LP | Questionable |
| Zack Martin | G | Calf | LP | FP | FP | - |
| Andy Dalton | QB | Concussion | FP | FP | FP | - |
| Ezekiel Elliott | RB | Hamstring | FP | FP | FP | - |
| Joe Thomas | LB | Wrist | FP | FP | FP | - |
| DeMarcus Lawrence | DE | Illness | - | DNP | DNP | Questionable |
View photos of Vikings players from the 2019 Primetime Purple game. The team will be wearing Primetime Purple uniforms for the Week 11 Dallas Cowboys matchup.
Practice Status
DNP - Did not participate in practice
LP - Limited participation in practice
FP - Full participation
(-) - Not listed
