Ezra Cleveland ruled out, Dalton Risner to make first Vikings start

Vikings left guard Ezra Cleveland has been ruled out for Monday night's game against the 49ers due to the foot injury he suffered last weekend in Chicago, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on Saturday. In his absence, Dalton Risner will make his first Vikings start.

This will be Cleveland's first time missing a game since becoming the Vikings' starting left guard to begin the 2021 season.

"Ezra, he did everything he could (this week), but we're going to allow (the swelling in his foot) to settle down here and re-assess him next week," O'Connell said.

Risner is a strong option to have as a backup. A second-round pick by the Broncos in 2019, he started 62 games at left guard over the last four seasons in Denver. After his free agency lasted longer than expected, the Vikings signed him to a one-year deal following their Week 2 loss against the Eagles.

Last week, Risner came into the game when Cleveland got hurt in the fourth quarter and played well over the final ten snaps of the contest.

"Things that jumped out when (Dalton) went in there, he was incredibly detailed for a guy that has been progressing towards getting that opportunity," O'Connell said this week. "He was very physical. In the run game, it really showed up. You can tell the game makes sense to him when he's in there. No matter the post-snap movement or the look of the defense, he can adapt and get the job done. I thought he did a great job."

The Vikings will need Risner to play well against the 49ers' tough defensive front, which includes interior defenders Javon Hargrave, Arik Armstead, and Javon Kinlaw.

In other injury news for the Vikings, CB Akayleb Evans and WR Jalen Nailor are listed as questionable for Monday night's game. The 49ers' final injury report has not yet been released.