EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Saturday activated long snapper Austin Cutting from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and waived guard Pat Elflein.
Cutting had been placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week, casting some doubt toward his availability for Minnesota's Week 10 game at Chicago on Monday Night Football.
Just as Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler in Week 8 and Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford last week, Cutting has been cleared by game time.
The Vikings had players from other positions handle long snapping during practices Thursday and Friday, but Special Teams Coordinator Marwan Maalouf declined to name the players during his media session Friday.
Elflein suffered a thumb injury during a Week 2 practice. It required surgery, and he was placed on the Injured Reserve/Designated to Return list. The Vikings activated him Friday at the end of his three-week evaluation window.
The fourth-year pro opened the season at right guard after playing 2019 at left guard. Elflein played center in his first two seasons in Minnesota, including for the 2017 team that finished 13-3 and advanced to the NFC Championship. He was injured in that game, creating a long rehab process heading into his second season with the Vikings.
A third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Elflein started 43 of the 44 regular-season games he played.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of January 4, 2021.
14 QB Sean Mannion
4 QB Sean Mannion
19 WR Adam Thielen
19 WR Adam Thielen
20 CB Jeff Gladney
20 CB Jeff Gladney
39 CB Dylan Mabin
39 CB Dylan Mabin
40 LB Todd Davis
42 LS Andrew DePaola
42 LS Andrew DePaola
44 S Josh Metellus
45 LB Troy Dye
48 LB Blake Lynch
48 LB Blake Lynch
61 C Brett Jones
68 G Kyle Hinton
73 G Dru Samia
85 WR Dan Chisena
87 TE Hale Hentges
87 TE Hale Hentges
96 DT Armon Watts
96 DT Armon Watts
