EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings on Saturday were able to activate the starting left side of their offensive line a day before hosting the Bears in the 2021 regular-season finale for both teams.
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw and left guard Ezra Cleveland were activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list, making them eligible for Sunday's game.
Darrisaw has started nine of the 11 games he's played this season. Cleveland has started all 16 games so far for the Vikings (7-9).
The Vikings also announced the signings of defensive end Kenny Willekes and tight end Zach Davidson to the active roster from the practice squad and the activation of tight end Ben Ellefson from Injured Reserve.
Willekes has totaled 15 tackles, one-half sack and four quarterback hits in five games. Davidson, a fifth-round pick in 2021, could be in line to make his NFL debut.
Ellefson, who was claimed off waivers in September after spending time with Jacksonville, played in four games for his home-state Vikings before landing on Injured Reserve.
Cornerback Parry Nickerson was restored to the practice squad from the Practice Squad Reserve/COVID-19 list. Nickerson has been elevated to the active roster as a COVID-19 replacement, along with safety Myles Dorn, defensive tackle T.Y. McGill and cornerback Tye Smith.
Nickerson played in three games (Weeks 3-5) on special teams. Dorn has participated exclusively on special teams in his first seven NFL games this season. McGill played 14 snaps on defense at Green Bay in Week 17. Smith has appeared in four games for Minnesota, with his first defensive snaps of the year occurring last week.
Minnesota also used standard elevations for linebacker Tuf Borland and cornerback Bryan Mills.
Borland, an undrafted rookie, was elevated and played 15 snaps on special teams against Pittsburgh.
Mills was signed as a free agent this week and could be in line for his first NFL action with three Vikings corners on this week's Injury Report. Kris Boyd and Mackensie Alexander were both listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Cameron Dantzler has been dealing with a calf injury that kept him from playing at Green Bay, but he did not receive a designation for the finale.
