Dec 8, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Broncos offensive guard Dalton Risner (66) warms up before a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings are steadily becoming healthier, and one of the favorites among the team’s fans is on his way back.
He’s Dalton Risner, a starter at left guard in 2023, who the Vikings re-signed in May but lost to a back injury during the summer. For the first time in 2024, Risner’s return to the field is palpable.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday, “OL help on the way: The Vikings have designated G Dalton Risner to return to practice off Injured Reserve.”
Risner now has three weeks to be added to the active roster, meaning he will be eligible to play on Sunday, October 20th, versus the Detroit Lions, Thursday, October 24th, at the Los Angeles Rams, or in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. In all likelihood for Risner, it’ll be Week 8 or Week 9.
The question of whether Risner will play immediately remains, too.
Risner is a lifelong left guard in the NFL, and the Vikings have Blake Brandel at that spot. The chances of Brandel getting benched or switched to right guard are low. On the other side of the line, Ed Ingram has struggled at times and could be on deck for reserve duty if Risner takes his spot as the starting right guard. Stay tuned.
For perspective, these are Ingram’s Pro Football Focus grades via pass-blocking since Week 1:
All summer last year, Vikings faithful pounded the table for the then-free-agent guard. In September 2023, Minnesota’s front office finally obliged, adding the veteran lineman on a one-year deal. He stole folks’ hearts with his performance and lovable persona, but when the 2024 offseason rolled around, Risner didn’t initially re-sign with the Vikings until May 2024. Fans rejoiced, but then Risner’s summer bent underwhelmingly, mainly because of the injury.
Risner’s overall PFF grade of 57.1 didn’t set records, but his 67.4 pass-blocking score was music to the ears of Vikings fans. For years — arguably a decade — Vikings enthusiasts asked for a competent pass-blocking guard or two, and the wish was granted in 2023 with Risner’s midseason addition.
When the 2023 season wrapped up and former left guard Ezra Cleveland was long gone via trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars, most Vikings fans believed Risner would re-sign in Minnesota after a successful first campaign. But then March, April, and most of May hit — with crickets.
Meanwhile, Risner hired superagent Drew Rosenhaus in March, a sign that he wanted to avoid last year’s weird silence. The Rosenhaus plan came to fruition in May but encountered a hiccup with the recent IR trip.
Risner signed a one-year deal worth up to $2.4 million this season.
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 Vikings 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.