Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) shown on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings defeated the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, upsetting Kyle Shanahan’s team by a score of 23-17.
And Kevin O’Connell’s group did so shorthanded — on top of season-ending injuries to rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, for example.
So, with Minnesota undefeated through two games and owning Top 6 efficiencies on offense and defense per EPA/Play, these reinforcements will return before too long. They’re ranked in ascending order of importance (No. 1 = most important).
The Vikings re-signed Risner in May, on tap to duel for his left guard job that he held in 2023. The problem? Blake Brandel had already said “nope” to that proposition. So, Risner was thrust into a battle for right guard but quickly encountered a back injury that handed the starting job to Ed Ingram.
Well, Risner is eligible to return in Week 5, a London showdown against Aaron Rodgers’ New York Jets. Ingram could keep the right guard job indefinitely, but Risner would be the next man up at right guard if he faltered.
Risner served as a pass-protection savant in 2023.
Like Risner, Hockenson can return to the Vikings’ lineup on October 6th if cleared by the training and coaching staff. The Detroit Lions injured Hockenson last December, specifically former teammate Kerby Joseph, who targeted Hockenson’s knees — as he did two weeks later to Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee. Both men tore ACLs.
Hockenson’s return is near, however, and Minnesota’s offense can climb to the next level with a productive pass-catcher in the middle of the field. In fact, it feels strange to wonder about the offensive next step with Hockenson because the enterprise has excelled so far without him.
The man averaged roughly 8 or 9 targets per game in 2023 before the injury. He’s an integral part of Kevin O’Connell’s system.
Addison will return — most likely — before Risner and Hockenson, affording Sam Darnold another target on Sundays and a bonafide WR2 next to Justin Jefferson.
About a month ago, Addison injured his ankle at practice, fully healed in time for Week 1, and then hurt the other ankle at the New York Giants due to an illegal hip-drop tackle that received no penalty flag.
Darnold cooked without Addison on Sunday versus the San Francisco 49ers, but eventually, he’ll need Jefferson and Addison to avoid any possible ruts. Addison’s Week 3 status will likely be determined on Friday, September 20th.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.