Center Pat Elflein will be unavailable for the Vikings as training camp begins.

Elflein, who underwent ankle surgery at the end of January, was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. He was unable to practice this spring as he continued his rehab. The second-year center also dealt with a shoulder injury that forced him to miss two games at the end of the regular season.

He's on the preseason active/PUP list, which means Elflein can return at any time but still counts toward the 90-man roster.

With 6 1/2 weeks before the season opener against San Francisco, the Vikings have every reason to take it easy with Elflein. His absence won't become a concern unless it lingers into training camp.