Vikings Nopedy Nopes: Dalton Risner’s Status, a J.J. McCarthy Trade, Stefon Diggs
A weekend publication from VikingsTerritory, we present to you: the Vikings Nopedy Nopes of the week.
Vikings Nopedy Nopes: Dalton Risner’s Status, a J.J. McCarthy Trade, Stefon Diggs
The nopedy nopes are weekly Minnesota Vikings-themed items that we’re not buying. It’s a spin-off of our rumor mill, and we hope you enjoy. Here is the 30th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
The Nopedy Nope: Because Dalton Risner was eligible to return after four games, he’ll be inserted into the Vikings’ lineup.
Thanks to head coach Kevin O’Connell, though, a bit of an update dribbled out this week — O’Connell will clarify Risner’s return after the bye, which follows Sunday’s game in London. His practice window will not be opened this week, like T.J. Hockenson’s.
“More than likely, we’re going to hold off on Dalton. I’ll circle back with you guys after the bye,” O’Connell told reporters on Wednesday.
Risner injured his back this summer, and the team designated him out for at least the season’s first four games. And because of that artificial would-be return date, some penciled Risner in for a Week 5 return.
But that was premature. He won’t be ready for the Vikings’ meeting Sunday with the Jets. His return is probably more realistic for Week 8 or 9.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota could keep Sam Darnold over J.J. McCarthy for the long haul.
A site called TWSN recently advanced this theory, claiming Minnesota should trade J.J. McCarthy to the Tennessee Titans and keep Darnold instead.
“The Titans are in desperate need of a new quarterback as Will Levis and new coach Brian Callahan have not been on the same page, and they need a light of brightness for the future that isn’t the former 2nd round pick Levis,” TWSN surmised. “In this instance, Minnesota trades JJ to roll with Sam Darnold as their franchise QB, and there’d be a possibility for this specifically if the Vikings go far in the 2024 Playoffs.”
The site claimed the Vikings would receiver a 2nd-Round draft pick and DT Jeffery Simmons for McCarthy.
The Vikings will not trade McCarthy.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Stefon Diggs always has something new to say about his exit from the Vikings.
There’s always a new reason why Stefon Diggs left the Vikings. First, some claimed he didn’t like Kirk Cousins. That falsehood was disproven repeatedly. Then, he didn’t want to play in a run-first offense led by Vikings skipper Mike Zimmer at the time.
This summer, Diggs told GQ he had secrets about the Vikings that caused his departure but insisted he was a professional who wouldn’t kiss and tell. He’s also said that the Vikings shipped him to Buffalo with ill intent.
A few days ago, Diggs claimed he didn’t want to be WR2 in Minnesota. He said this week on NFL Digest: “They treated me like a No. 1, but at times, they played me small. It was kinda of like a mind game, as well, being young and being there — I felt rejoiced because, damn, I need to take my own life into my own hands. It was like rolling the dice. It’s like boxing.”
“I love what y’all got going on, but it’s not necessarily the best situation for me,” Diggs added about his time in Minnesota.
Adam Thielen served as Diggs’ running mate during that era of Vikings football, and although Diggs adored Thielen, he evidently didn’t think the two could share a target load. Diggs wanted to run the show at WR1 elsewhere.
Diggs concluded, “I love Adam Thielen to death. I love seeing him have success, but for me, I knew I wasn’t going for it.”
It’s 2024. Nobody cares about why Diggs left the Vikings anymore. It might’ve been the best trade in franchise history because it netted Justin Jefferson.
Continuing to ask Diggs “why he left Minnesota” is dumb. He’ll probably have a new answer next time.
Nobody cares.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Dalton Risner Update
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.
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