Tag: Dalton Risner

Stock up, stock down in Vikings 3-0 win vs. Raiders

In an ugly win like this one, multiple stocks saw movement for the Vikings

For the first time since 1971, the Minnesota Vikings won a game by a score of 3-0. The Vikings outlasted the Las Vegas Raiders in Allegiant Stadium to improve to 7-6.

It was ugly, very ugly. The offenses combined for 430 total yards and 24 total first downs. The passing games combined for 243 yards through the air, an almost unheard-of number in the modern era.

Ugly games happen in the NFL all the time, but they aren’t usually like this. The last game to end by a score of 3-0 was in 2007 when a John-Beck-led Miami Dolphins team fell to Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that the NFL dubbed “The Monday Night Mud Bowl.” But being on the winning end of a game like this is much better than the alternative. 

In a win this hard-fought, some players are bound to see their stocks rise, and others will see theirs fall amidst all the chaos.

Dalton Risner leaves game vs. Raiders with an apparent leg injury

Risner left the game with an ankle injury but was able to return

An awful day on the injury front for the Minnesota Vikings keeps getting worse, as guard Dalton Risner had to be helped off the field with just under six minutes to go in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Risner was injured on a running play with about six minutes to go in the third quarter. Seldom-used running back Kene Nwangwu lined up in the backfield and took the carry to the outside. With the offensive line pulling to block, Risner went down and was immediately visibly upset, pounding the turf.

Risner was helped off the field by the training staff, unable to put much weight on his left leg. The Vikings were already missing right guard Ed Ingraham coming into the game and lost right tackle Brian O’Neill earlier in the game with an ankle injury.

Risner did return to the game and we will monitor his status for the remainder of the game.

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Breaking down why the Vikings called a toss sweep to Josh Dobbs

The Vikings called a trick play on the third play of the game and it didn’t work. Tyler Forness breaks down why it didn’t

On the third play of the game, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell called a unique play that didn’t end up working.

Quarterback Josh Dobbs ended up fumbling after cornerback Kareem Jackson speared him, forcing the fumble. The play itself was a gutsy call that has been criticized for not working.

That’s the frustrating thing with play calls. They get criticized when they don’t work and praised when they do. What doesn’t get dissected nearly enough is what the play was designed to do and if the execution is to blame rather than the play call itself.

That’s what we are going to do here. What was the play designed to do and how was the execution?

Dalton Risner had a classy response after losing to the Broncos

“Tough that we fell short, but give credit to the Broncos, man,” Vikings guard Dalton Risner said. “They did a great job tonight.”

The Denver Broncos gave a four-year, $52 million contract to guard Ben Powers during free agency, signing him to replace in-house free agent Dalton Risner.

After bringing in Powers, the Broncos let Risner walk in free agency. The Colorado native then went several months as an unsigned free agent before landing with the Minnesota Vikings one week into the 2023 season.

Risner returned to Denver on Sunday to face his former team for the first time, and the guard had no hard feelings toward his childhood club.

“[I have] never been in this [visiting team] locker room, this is all new,” Risner said after Sunday’s game. “I’ve never been in here. I’ve never played [against] the Broncos, obviously. Everyone knows I grew up a Broncos fan, but really proud to be a Viking.

“Tough that we fell short, but give credit to the Broncos, man. They did a great job tonight. So we have to go back to the drawing board. We got a big Monday night game coming up, a division game, so it’s on to the next.”

After losing to the Broncos 21-20 on Sunday, Risner and the Vikings are now set to face the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 12.

Risner, 28, spent the first four years of his NFL career in Denver after growing up in Wiggins, Colorado. Now in Minnesota, he’s all-in with the Vikings, but Risner still has love for his former team.

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4 Vikings players to watch in Week 8 vs. Packers

These four players will be key to a Minnesota Vikings victory against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon

The Minnesota Vikings will be looking to improve to 2-0 in the NFC North along with getting back to 0.500 when they take on the Green Bay Packers. They were desperate for a win against the San Francisco 49ers and they got one by a score of 22-17.

As things currently sit, the Vikings are currently tied for a wild card spot but would lose out on the tiebreaker to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a head-to-head loss.

The Vikings currently have two of their best players on injured reserve in Marcus Davenport and Justin Jefferson, but they are playing well regardless. Going into week eight, these four players will be key to a Vikings victory at Lambeau Field.

Analysis of Vikings Thursday injury report

The Vikings saw some improvement on their injury report on Thursday afternoon

The Minnesota Vikings are set to take on the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon and had their first official day of practice this week on Thursday. Wednesday’s injury report was only estimated as they took the day off on the field to recoup from Monday night’s game.

There was some improvement from the Vikings on Thursday.

  • ILB Brian Asamoah II (ankle)-Did not practice
  • TE T.J. Hockenson (foot)-Limited
  • LG Ezra Cleveland (foot)-Limited
  • WR Jalen Nailor (hamstring)-Limited

The only player that saw improvement was Hockenson, as he was estimated as a did not practice player on Wednesday.

Cleveland staying as limited is a good sign in his healing process. Now, the Vikings don’t have to rush him back. Dalton Risner started for Cleveland on Monday against the San Francisco 49ers and played well in his place. Having depth on the offensive line is new for the Vikings and it’s paying dividends already.

Friday’s injury report will tell us who will be in and out of Sunday’s game.

Offensive PFF grades from Vikings win vs. 49ers

The offensive PFF grades look good, but don’t reflect how good the unit was

Not only did the Minnesota Vikings find a way to beat the San Francisco 49ers 22-17, but the entire dichotomy of the season has changed for the better.

Turnovers have been the catalyst to why the Vikings started 2-4 and that nearly happened again. Kirk Cousins threw an interception to Charvarius Ward on the third play of the game after he ripped it out of the hands of Jordan Addison.

The difference on Monday night was the Vikings forced a fumble of Christian McCaffrey just five plays later and the rest is history.

The grades from Pro Football Focus are in and don’t accurately reflect how dominant the Vikings were on Monday night.

X-rays on Ezra Cleveland’s foot come back negative

Good sign for the Vikings after Cleveland left with a foot injury

Minnesota Vikings left guard Ezra Cleveland left Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears with a foot injury. According to head coach Kevin O’Connell, Cleveland’s X-rays came back negative.

“Midfoot kind of thing, whether it’s a sprain or bruise. It’ll have to be evaluated,” said O’Connell.

Cleveland was injured on a running play in the fourth quarter where he was pulling to be a lead blocker. He was replaced by Dalton Risner, who got his first offensive snaps since signing with the Vikings.

Further evaluation will tell us more about Cleveland’s injury, but the X-rays are a good sign for his immediate future.

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Dalton Risner has “catching up to do”

Risner likely won’t start on Sunday, and that is okay

Don’t expect new Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Dalton Risner to start this weekend. According to head coach Kevin O’Connell, Risner has a lot to learn with the offense because there aren’t a lot of similar concepts in the two schemes.

One of the benefits for the Vikings in signing Risner was his relationship with offensive line coach Chris Kuper. He was in Denver with Risnerr as the assistant offensive line coach. That is something that will help accelerate the process for the Vikings.

As for the Vikings offensive line, they have been solid pass blockers so far this season and that should continue. If they struggle moving forward, that is when we are likely to see Risner.

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Kevin O’Connell on OL: “We’re going to play the best 5 we can”

The offensive line is still in flux moving forward, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

When the Minnesota Vikings signed left guard Dalton Risner on Monday, there was a lot of discussion about the offensive line moving forward. How would it shape up? Would Risner be a guard, center or tackle.

According to head coach Kevin O’Connell, he could play anywhere.

“We’re going to play the best five we can. Looking at the interior offensive line, you’d love to have Garrett (Bradbury) back as fast as possible. I thought Austin stepped in and there was a couple plays like everybody else has against the Philadelphia Eagles front. but for the most part for us to throw the football with the effectiveness that we did those guys, both Austin, Ezra and Ed all did some really good things in the pass pro. We’re going to work through it, Kevin, and with that depth now, you feel very much more comfortable than maybe you would have for the duration of a long season.”

In the NFL, Risner has experience only at left guard, but also played right tackle and center in college. Theoretically, he could play all five positions if needed. That type of flexibility is huge for the Vikings moving forward.

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