Tag: Dallas Turner

Vikings LB Andrew Van Ginkel was ‘banged up’ against the Colts in Week 9

The Vikings will have to keep an eye on their prized free agent signing.

Rookie Dallas Turner saw 26 snaps on Sunday in the win over the Colts, which was the most he’s seen since Week 1 against the Giants. It turns out that there is a reason why he had to play more.

When defensive coordinator Brian Flores took the podium on Tuesday to answer questions, he revealed Andrew Van Ginkel was “banged up”.

“I know that’s something that a lot of people have been talking about. I think you know, Gink (Van Ginkel) was a little bit not hurt, a minor thing that he was dealing with. So, you know, Dallas is the next guy in. He went in, you know, played well. Gink said he was ready to go back in, and we kept the same kind of grouping for the remainder of the game, and Dallas did a few good things as well. So again, that’s a deep room. There’s a lot of good players in there. And you know, by and large, we’ll go to the hot hand.”

It will be worth monitoring Van Ginkel’s health status as the week progresses.

Two Vikings rookies mentioned by The Athletic’s All-Rookie team

The Athletic recognized the work of General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Wednesday.

The 2024 NFL Draft has proven to have a larger impact than many expected following the injury to J.J. McCarthy. Despite losing their first-round quarterback, the draft class has produced several reliable players for the team.

The Athletic recognized the work of General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Wednesday.

Dane Brugler wrote up his selection for his midseason All-Rookie team, and two Vikings made the cut: first-round pick Dallas Turner and sixth-round pick Will Reichard. Turner has started to play more in recent weeks, including in Week 9 against the Colts. Reichard, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the more reliable kickers in the NFL.

Reichard did not miss a kick all season until Week 9, though his misses against the Colts could be blamed on a quad injury he suffered.

Turner had been struggling to find playing time with the depth the Vikings have at edge rusher, but he may finally be earning the coaching staff’s trust.

Kevin O’Connell explains Dallas Turner’s shrinking role on the Vikings

Here’s why Dallas Turner hasn’t seen the field as much lately.

First-round selection Dallas Turner was a main cog for the Vikings’ defense in their Week 1 win over the Giants, where he saw 35 snaps. But in the past three games, he has seen 28 total snaps — while playing in four against the Lions on Sunday.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was asked about Turner during his weekly press conference on Monday. O’Connell suggested some of it has to do with the Vikings’ deep linebacking core of Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and others, and some of it is just growing through the defense.

“Yeah, he’s working through it,” O’Connell said. “He’s a young player in a defense where the roles and responsibilities sometimes in-game can adjust based on what we’re seeing. I think we’ve got a really deep outside linebacker room with Gink (Andrew Van Ginkel) and (Jonathan) Greenard, Pat Jones, and then Haddy (Jihad Ward) has got his role. We’re going to continue to see Dallas have an impact. It may be a growing thing as we go here, but trust me, I’ve got a ton of confidence in Dallas. He’s growing within a pretty high-level IQ defense.”

Fans who are concerned about Turner — shouldn’t. O’Connell couldn’t praise Turner enough during his press conference and feels like he will be a huge part of the defense as the season progresses.

“I think he’s an incredible fit in our defense, not only in the present but in the future as well,” he said. “He’s gonna be an absolute monster for us. But sometimes, the way the game flow goes, there might be — what personnel are they using and how do we wanna match that personnel, things like that. … I think DT’s growing every single day. I’m more excited about him now than I was even when we drafted him.”

Vikings LB Blake Cashman misses practice ahead of short Week 8

The Minnesota Vikings haven’t finished licking their wounds from their first loss of the season against the Detroit Lions.

The Minnesota Vikings haven’t finished licking their wounds from their first loss of the season against the Detroit Lions. However, they have to shift their focus to the Los Angeles Rams with whom they play on a short week.

The team published its first injury report of Week 8, and it was mostly positive. However, one injury that lingered in Week 7 is carrying over to Thursday’s matchup: Blake Cashman’s toe.

The veteran linebacker and major free agent signing this past offseason missed their matchup against the Lions with turf toe. In his absence, the Lions ran for 144 yards as a team instead of the usual 72 they were holding teams to when he played. His absence played a significant role in the defense bending more than normal against the Lions.

The Los Angeles Rams, led by running back Kyren Williams, are averaging 100 yards per game and 4 yards per rush. Without Cashman, the Vikings may allow the Rams to boost those season totals.

Vikings DC Brian Flores is happy with Dallas Turner’s development

Some folks have also noticed that Dallas Turner has been rather silent on a team full of game-wreckers on the edge.

The Vikings’ defense is firing on all cylinders and is on pace for a record-setting year. The group and the performance that Brian Flores has gotten out of them is getting noticed by everyone around the league.

Some folks have also noticed that Dallas Turner has been rather silent on a team full of game-wreckers on the edge.

The first-round pick out of Alabama came in and had high expectations. People often forget that the development of edge rushers from college to the NFL takes time to fully turn into the gamewreckers they were in college. Brian Flores spoke to the media on Tuesday and shared his thoughts on his development.

“I think Dallas has done a great job… I think he’s an ascending player, he’s been great in meetings, when his number is called he’s showing up.. we’re constantly trying to figure out how to get him in. He’s in a really good spot”

We can use Jonathan Greenard as an example of how long it can take for players to develop. In the first three years of his career, he had a total of 10.5 sacks before recording  16.5 in his last 20 games over the last two seasons.

It will take some time with Turner, Flores has faith, so you should have some faith as well. In the meantime, enjoy Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard coming off the edge full-time.

Vikings get defensive line help in ESPN’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft

The Minnesota Vikings get help along the defensive line in the latest 2025 NFL mock draft from ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid.

The Minnesota Vikings are still riding high as one of only two unbeaten teams left in the NFL. They’re sitting atop the toughest division in the NFL right now, the NFC North, and have their sights set on doing some big things this season. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start looking ahead towards the future of this team. That future starts with the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Vikings laid a good foundation with the 2024 NFL Draft, especially in the first round, grabbing who they believe to be the future of their franchise with quarterback J.J. McCarthy. They also make an effort to shore up their pass rush by taking edge rusher Dallas Turner with their second first-round pick. Turner has struggled some in his rookie campaign, but he still has a bright future ahead of him in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme.

While the Vikings have several high-quality pieces on both sides of the ball, several areas can be improved. According to ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid, the Vikings’ biggest areas of need heading into the 2025 NFL Draft are along the offensive line—particularly at guard, the defensive tackle spot, and cornerback.

So, where should the Vikings look next April?

Reid has the Vikings getting some defensive line help with the last pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, taking Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. Here’s Reid’s breakdown of the selection:

The Michigan State transfer has quickly become arguably Oregon’s best defensive player. With a quick first step, Harmon has been able to consistently penetrate the first level, picking up three sacks this season. His strong hands help him stack and shed blocks in the middle as a run defender, but he must do a better job of finishing plays. The Vikings’ defense has been excellent this season, but it probably still needs long-term depth at defensive tackle. Harmon’s explosion would work well in Brian Flores’ attacking unit.

It’s a little surprising to see Reid projecting the Viking to land help on the defensive side when guard has been such a glaring need for the team. However, that situation may improve with the return of Dalton Risner, and the Vikings could certainly use the depth at the position. Harrison Phillips isn’t going to play forever, and Minnesota would do well to think about the next man up despite his recent extension.

He’ll have some mighty big shoes to fill.

Vikings’ Dallas Turner off to slower start than fellow rookies on defense

Coming from the college game to the NFL is never an easy task, regardless of how some players can make it look season to season. 

Coming from the college game to the NFL is never easy, regardless of how some players make it look season to season. There is a learning curve both mentally and physically, and for some positions, it can be even more significant.

For Vikings’ rookie Dallas Turner, the curve is still being worked on after being drafted in the first round of April’s draft.

In a recent mailbag post, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis was asked about his development. In comparison to others in the class, he is lower in terms of pressure rate. Other rookies, such as Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu, and Chop Robinson, were just some of the rookies who had more success than he had.

To their credit, though, they have almost doubled the number of snaps played compared to Turner.

With Turner showing slower development, the Vikings don’t need him to be dominant on day one. Playing alongside Pat Jones II, Jonathan Greenard, and Andrew Van Ginkel allows him to pick up their scraps while working important mental reps.

He will be along in due time; there is no need to rush the former-star Crimson Tide defender.

Vikings get good news on the injury front regarding Sam Darnold

The injuries are mounting for the Minnesota Vikings, but they got some good news on three players who missed Sunday’s game, and their QB.

The NFL season is the ultimate grind in sports, and no team comes through it unscathed. Injuries are a part of the game and something that every team has to deal with to varying degrees during the season. The injuries are starting to mount for the Minnesota Vikings, but they got good positive news on Monday.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell told the press on Monday that wide receiver Jordan Addison, linebacker Ivan Pace, Jr., and edge rusher Dallas Turner are all day-to-day with their injuries, but the coach “sounded optimistic on all,” according to Minnesota Vikings beat reporter Alec Lewis.

All three players missed Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans, but the Vikings were able to get strong contributions from players in their absence. Wide receiver Jalen Nailor stepped up in the absence of Addison, catching three of his four targets for 31 yards and a touchdown.

Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill was one of the studs of the week for the Vikings in place of Pace, notching a big interception, defending another pass, and making several nice open-field tackles. At the same time, free agent acquisition Jonathan Greenard had a huge day against his former team, notching three sacks on the day and ensuring the Vikings didn’t miss their first-round pick, Turner.

The Vikings got more good news on the injury front, as the team revealed that quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a bruised knee in the game on Sunday and avoided any structural damage. Darnold isn’t expected to miss any time with the injury and should be good to continue a season that could wind up being his career-best when all is said and done.

Vikings announce inactives for their Week 3 matchup against the Texans

The Vikings head into their Week 3 matchup against the Broncos with a lot more notable names on the inactive report than in previous weeks. 

The Minnesota Vikings head into their Week 3 matchup against the Denver Broncos with a lot more notable names on the inactive report than in previous weeks.

The leading name on the report is wide receiver Jordan Addison, who is still nursing an ankle injury he suffered in Week 1. Another notable name joining him this week is rookie Dallas Turner, who has played well for the team this season.

The complete inactive list also includes linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., quarterback Brett Rypien, cornerback Dwight McGlothern, defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez, and offensive tackle Walter Rouse.

The team will have Jalen Nailor, Brian O’Neill, and Andrew Van Ginkel who were all on the injury report earlier this week but have since been cleared. Many of them were listed for nagging injuries rather than anything that may impede their performances in Week 3.

The Vikings and Texans will kick off at 1 p.m./Noon. Both teams look to remain undefeated through the first three weeks of the season.

Texans vs. Vikings: Three key players out for Minnesota in Week 3

Three key Minnesota Vikings are out for Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium.

While the Houston Texans must handle Minnesota Vikings All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson, they won’t have to take on his running mate.

On top of that, two key defensive players won’t suit up for Sunday’s game on Minnesota’s side due to injury.

The Vikings ruled receiver Jordan Addison, edge rusher Dallas Turner and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. out for Sunday’s game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Addison and Turner didn’t practice all week, while Pace was limited entering Friday’s walk-throughs.

Addison, a former first-round pick out of USC, left early in the Week 1 win over the New York Giants due to an ankle injury. He didn’t play last Sunday in a 23-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

When asked about Addison’s status, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell noted that he made some good progress this week.

“Not all the way to the point where we could be 100 percent confident he wouldn’t have a setback of any kind,” O’Connell told reporters. “Ultimately the most important thing is over the long term of this season getting him back to a place where he’s ready to rock and roll.”

Turner, a former teammate of Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama, left early in Sunday’s win because of a knee issue. Over his first two weeks, Turner has totaled five tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.

Pace, who impressed last season as an undrafted free agent from Cincinnati, has recorded 15 tackles in two starts. He’s been reportedly dealing with a quad injury and was limited throughout the week.

Jalen Nailor is expected to fill the void as the No. 2 target opposite Jefferson.  Edge rusher Pat Jones II will likely see an increased role in place of Turner opposite former Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard.

As for Pace, former Houston linebacker Blake Cashman likely takes over as the voice of the defense while Brian Asamoah and Kamu Grugier-Hill split reps in his spot.

In place of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, the Texans plan to have an increased role for Cam Akers. Vikings fans should remember the former second-round pick since he played six games in Minneapolis last season before suffering a torn Achilles in early November.

After a promising preseason, Akers took over the No. 3 RB role entering the regular season. Last week when Mixon left with an ankle injury, he became the feature back, totaling 32 yards on seven carries.

Akers told reporters earlier this week he’s always waiting for a moment to present itself.”

You don’t got to get ready when you stay ready,” Akers said. “I’ve been preparing for this moment, and I’m ready for it. I’m ready to take advantage.”

Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium is scheduled for noon CT.

The Texans are looking for their first 3-0 start since 2012 and their first victory over Minnesota in franchise history.