Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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"I think before this thing's said and done, you're going to see him get an opportunity to produce and be a part of our team. I'm really proud of how far he's come," Kubiak added. "I just walked off the field … and he had a really good practice. … I'm really pleased at how Rico and Phil are bringing him along."
Cleveland was one of the draft's most athletic lineman in 2020. The 6-foot-6, 311-pounder earned First-Team All-Mountain West honors in his final two collegiate seasons.
"It's probably just about an opportunity, to be honest with you," Kubiak said when asked about Cleveland's next step. "A lot of times guys are out there working and practicing well, and you see them growing as players, and then you never know which given Sunday, all of a sudden, it's going to be his turn.
"Whether it's somebody getting nicked up or us giving him the opportunity to go in there and play," Kubiak added. "I think his time is coming. I think you're going to see him get an opportunity here at some point, and he's really working hard to prepare for that opportunity."
Kubiak also noted that Olisaemeka Udoh, a 2019 sixth-round pick, is also working at both guard and tackle. He has primarily spent time at right tackle since being drafted.
"We've got guys working everywhere. Ezra does work at both spots. Oli's working at both spots," Kubiak said. "We're trying to move some guys around and get them as many reps throughout the course of the year, everywhere, for us.
"Just kind of see how they jump at us and how they progress," Kubiak added. "So, we'll see what happens. But he continues to get reps at both."
Tackles Riley Reiff and Brian O'Neill have played all 324 offensive snaps this season, as have left guard Dakota Dozier and center Garrett Bradbury.
Elflein played 52 snaps in Week 1, while Samia has been on the field for 272 total snaps over the past month.
Cleveland, Udoh and backup interior lineman Brett Jones have not played an offensive snap in 2020.
The Vikings went through a normal practice schedule Thursday despite the Falcons closing their facility due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests in the organization. Atlanta worked virtually in preparation for Sunday's game at U.S. Bank Stadium, which remains scheduled for noon (CT) Sunday.
"I think we all understand that our routines and schedules could be interrupted throughout the course of this year," Kubiak said. "It's just part of life, so you kind of deal with it.
"The other thing is we all know each other in this league, so we all have friends, coaches on other teams, and when you hear something, the first thing you think about is, 'Everybody OK?,' " Kubiak added. "So it's just kind of part of the day nowadays, and you just pray that everybody stays healthy and we can keep plugging along right here."
The Vikings were in a similar position of having a practice cancelled in Week 4 before playing the Texans because of positive tests in the Titans organization that grew after Tennessee visited Minnesota in Week 3. The Vikings did not have a positive test after facing the Titans.
Added Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Marwan Maalouf: "Our safety and their safety really comes first. So, they have to take the proper precautions, which is what they're doing. I think that's the most important is the safety and the well-being of their players, their staff and of course our players and our staff. We understand what they're going through, and hopefully we'll get a chance to play them if everything goes well on their end."