Vikings rookie safety Lewis Cine inactive for first NFL game

As expected, Vikings rookie safety Lewis Cine was inactive Sunday for this first NFL game.

Cine aggravated a knee injury before practice on Thursday and head coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday he was “truly questionable” to play in the opener against Green Bay at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings elevated safety Myles Dorn from the practice squad on Saturday, an indication Cine would not play.

Also inactive for the Vikings were offensive lineman Chris Reed, running back Ty Chandler, edge rusher Luiji Vilain, tackle Vederian Lowe and defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo. All but Reed, who played at Minnesota State Mankato and is entering his seventh NFL season, are rookies.

As expected, starting defensive end Jonathan Bullard was active after being listed as questionable with a biceps injury. And as expected, running back Alexander Mattison was active after he missed practice Thursday and Friday for personal reasons.

RELATED: Packers at Vikings preview: Kevin O’Connell makes his debut.

Inactive for the Packers were three starters: wide receiver Allen Lazard (ankle), and offensive linemen David Bakhtiari (knee) and Elgton Jenkins (pectoral/knee). Also inactive were cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, safety Tariq Carpenter, wide receiver Samori Toure and defensive lineman Jonathan Ford.

Cine, taken with the No. 32 pick in the first round of the 2022 draft out of Georgia had really wanted to play. However, the Vikings considered it best to rest him and hopefully have him back for the Sept. 19 game at Philadelphia in Week 2. Cine is a backup safety.

“That’d be huge,” Cine told the Pioneer Press on Friday about wanting to play. “That’s the only thing I wish for, hope for. Only thing I want.”

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