In case you missed it yesterday, the Vikings are trying to trade center John Sullivan, which explains why he didn't play on Sunday. If they aren't able to find a trade partner, they will presumably cut him this week.
In my story for today's paper, I provided some perspective on what made Sullivan expendable beyond Joe Berger presumably winning the center job. To sum it up, Sullivan makes too much money to be a backup at only one position and they like the potential of second-year center Nick Easton.
So let's assume that Sullivan is not on the roster once the Vikings trim it to 53 players on Saturday afternoon. And keeping in mind that they are also parting ways with second-year tackle Austin Shepherd, as my colleague Andrew Krammer and others reported, who does make the team?
Here's a quick projection of which linemen the Vikings keep and who slots in where. My guess is they will keep nine, though it could be eight.
LT: Matt Kalil. Starting left tackle as long as his current injury is minor.
LG: Alex Boone. Locked and loaded at a starter in his first season here.
C: Joe Berger. Earned the right to start again after a strong 2015 season.
RG: Brandon Fusco. Sullivan being jettisoned most likely means his roster spot is safe for now. Fusco needs a solid bounce-back season, though.