Vikings without Lewis Cine, Ezra Cleveland against 49ers on Monday Night Football
Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before the start of the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Giants 27-24. ((Photo by David Berding/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings host the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium for Monday Night Football, looking to avoid their first 0-4 start at home in franchise history.
For the second straight week, safety Lewis Cine is a healthy scratch. He was among the Vikings’ inactives released 90 minutes before kickoff, but did not appear on the final injury report. Offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland will miss his first game this season with a toe injury suffered in last Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears. That means free agent signing Dalton Risner will get the start at left guard. Before coming to Minnesota, Risner got 64 starts over four seasons with the Denver Broncos.
Also inactive for the Vikings are tight end Nick Muse, defensive back NaJee Thompson, outside linebacker Andre Carter II and tackle Hakeem Adeniji.
The 49ers will be without receiver Deebo Samuel, and offensive lineman Trent Williams. Despite suffering an oblique injury last week, Christian McCaffrey is active and expected to play.
After an 0-3 start, the Vikings are looking for their third win in the last four games, and their first win at U.S. Bank Stadium this season. The 49ers are 5-1 and coming off their first loss of the season, 19-17 against the Cleveland Browns.
With a win, the Vikings can take sole possession of second place in the NFC North Division, behind the Detroit Lions.