Vikings to open preseason with improvised offensive line

The Vikings are about to learn a lot about their offensive line depth.

Kirk Cousins will play in Saturday night's preseason opener at Denver for as long as the starting offensive line plays, according to coach Mike Zimmer. However, three of the five are expected to remain on the sideline against the Broncos because of injuries.

It's not the way the Vikings envisioned Cousins' first snaps. So Zimmer might have to find solace in having 4½ weeks before the season opener against San Francisco, and getting extra exhibition reps to evaluate backups such as center Cornelius Edison and guards Danny Isidora and Tom Compton.

That's the interior line expected to start Saturday, for what might only be a…