There’s a Jonathan Greenard Update for Vikings
Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard injured his shoulder in a Week 10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, missed another loss in Week 11 to the Chicago Bears, and now appears to be trending toward missing a second game.
There’s a new Jonathan Greenard update for the Vikings, offering clarity on his status as the defense waits for its top edge rusher to return.
Greenard did not practice on Wednesday, as Minnesota prepares for Packer Week, instead working off to the side, which is usually not a signal that a player will lace them up in the upcoming contest.
Jonathan Greenard Doesn’t Officially Practice on Wednesday
Not a good start to Week 12 for Greenard
Greenard Works “Off to the Side”
Missing two starters last weekend, Greenard and center Ryan Kelly, head coach Kevin O’Connell updated both men’s status for Week 12.
He told the media on Wednesday about Greenard, “Jonathan Greenard will work off to the side today and we will update you guys on kinda where he is at, moving into tomorrow and Friday.”
Kelly, meanwhile, returned to practice in full on the same day, meaning he’s trending positively for the Week 12 showdown in Green Bay. Greenard’s situation isn’t quite as rosy, and more details will come to light on Thursday and Friday.
A Bad Omen for Week 12 Readiness
If Greenard were going to suit up on Sunday, he probably needed to practice on Wednesday, at least in a limited capacity. That’s how the process usually works for a player to grab at least a Questionable status by the end of business on Friday.
Of course, Greenard could turn heads and rejoin practice on Thursday, but that likely would’ve occurred on Wednesday to get a full week’s worth of acclimation.
Dallas Turner’s Number Called
Most of the Vikings’ loss to Chicago was a mess. The defense couldn’t stop the run, the quarterback couldn’t connect on enough throws, and special teams slipped in a key moment. Turner was the one of the few players who showed up.
He finished Week 11 with seven tackles, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a pass defended — a full, productive line from a young EDGE who’s finally hitting real traction. He handled his job. Some of the roster didn’t keep pace.
With Greenard sidelined by the shoulder injury, the Vikings handed Turner the OLB1 role. It suited him. He played faster, cleaner, and with more intention than he has in other spots, which says plenty about where he probably fits best in this defense going forward.
Final Clarity on Friday
No matter what, fans will have the big clues on Greenard’s trajectory by Friday. Last week, he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and by Friday, the Pro Bowl outside linebacker had been ruled out for the Week 11 tryst with the Bears. A similar fate seems to await Week 12.
Still, by Friday, Greenard will have either logged a practice and be Questionable for the Packers showdown — or miss another game, with Turner lurking to start once again.
More Dallas Turner Takes
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz opined on Turner, who is on deck as Greenard’s would-be substitute, this week: “His athletic tools are excellent, but he hasn’t really seemed to develop any sort of consistent pass rush move yet.”
“Most of his pressures in this game came from a pure bull rush, and it also must be acknowledged that he was frequently matched up with Bears backup left tackle Theo Benedet, an undrafted second-year player from Canada. Turner had some good run defense reps in this game, but there were others where he was washed out of the play.”
If Turner replicated his Bears performance this weekend in Green Bay, all Vikings fans would be totally reinvigorated by his career trajectory.
“Broadly, though, this was an encouraging performance for Turner, who is still 22 years old. He’s gotten more consistent opportunities to play a high volume of snaps in his second season, especially while filling in for either Van Ginkel or Greenard. And although you’d still like to see more of a consistent impact from Turner, he’s clearly making progress within Brian Flores’ defense,” Ragatz added.
“The flashes have been there for a young player who can push the pocket, play the run, and do some Van Ginkel-like things as a dropper in coverage. Based on which Pro Bowl player he’s filling in for, Turner’s responsibilities might be a little bit different, which requires some adaptability.”
The Vikings rank sixth in the NFL through 11 weeks in defensive sack percentage.
You must be logged in to post a comment.