As for offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, there is no left tackle controversy for the Vikings.

Rashod Hill started the first three games there, but is only ranked 72nd of 74 NFL tackles by Pro Football Focus. Rookie Christian Darrisaw, who was the favorite to start in left tackle before being hampered by a groin injury, has been a full-time participant in training this week for the first time this season. But Kubiak has said Hill will remain the starter for Sunday’s game against Cleveland at US Bank Stadium.

“Rashod is our guy,” Kubiak said ahead of Thursday’s practice. “It’s good to have Christian back in training, he’s improving. He is only a few days old, we have to strengthen him and do it right. Really satisfied with his progress. ”

Darrisaw, caught with the No.23 pick in the first round, missed the first week of training camp and after a week of training he was sidelined with medical intervention on August 12. Darrisaw returned to training on September 6. a limited basis before fully participating in training on Wednesday and Thursday.

“He’s got a lot of catching up to do,” Kubiak said of Darrisaw. “He does a hell of a job with everything he can control.

THE CROWD MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks said having a loud home crowd made “100%” of a difference in a 30-17 home win last Sunday against Seattle.

After there were no fans at US Bank Stadium in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Vikings had their first regular season game with fans in the home opener against the Seahawks . It was the first of three straight home games.

“It makes it a little harder for the quarterbacks to communicate,” Kendricks said of a boisterous home crowd returning. “It’s harder for them to hear our adjustments, our play calls and stuff like that. Last year a lot of times you had a quarterback who would listen to exactly what we’re saying and make adjustments based on that, so it was a little unfair that way. Now the home court advantage is real. We have to take advantage of it, especially with our audience. ”

BATTLE OF THE EX-LSU STARS

Vikings star catcher Justin Jefferson is good friends with Browns star catcher Odell Beckham Jr. Jefferson played at LSU from 2017 to 2019 and Beckham was in school from 2011 to 2013, most notably as a teammate. with Jefferson’s brother, quarterback Jordan Jefferson.

“I know Odell very well,” said Jefferson. “We are like brothers. We never trained together, but we were always very close, we spent time together. Definitely chopped a lot of times. ”

Jefferson, 22, said he grew up admiring Beckham, 28.

“I always watched him during games and practices, every time, so I was definitely a huge fan of him growing up,” he said.

ALLEN THE OLYMPIAN?

Former Vikings star defensive end Jared Allen is looking to take the next step to becoming an Olympian this weekend.

Allen is competing with Team Birr in a U.S. Olympic Team Curling Qualifier which kicked off Thursday and continues Sunday in Warrensville Heights, Ohio, outside of Cleveland. The winning team will secure a spot at the US Olympic Curling Trials Nov. 12-21 in Omaha, Neb.

“We have a good draw, so we have a chance,” said Allen. He said it would be “the coolest” if his team competed in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.