Vikings centre Pat Elflein needs surgery on injured ankle

Minnesota Vikings' Case Keenum (7) checks on an injured Pat Elflein (65) during the second half of the NFL football NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Matt Slocum/AP)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings centre Pat Elflein has a left ankle injury that will require off-season surgery.

Coach Mike Zimmer confirmed Tuesday that Elflein will need a procedure done on the ankle he injured in the team’s loss at Philadelphia in the NFC championship game. Elflein was wearing a walking boot after the game. The rookie from Ohio State, drafted in the third round, produced a solid debut to help the Vikings make significant improvements on the offensive line in 2017.

Vikings left guard Nick Easton broke his right ankle at Green Bay in the second-to-last game of the regular season and also needed surgery.

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