29 September 2023
The good news is Dalton Risner at least knows how to get to the lunchroom at TCO Performance Center now. After joking last week that he already has gotten lost a few times at the practice facility, the recently signed veteran offensive lineman has started to acclimate to his new surroundings, and he could be on the field for the Vikings as soon as Sunday.
Though head coach Kevin O’Connell hasn’t announced which players will start on the offensive line, he confirmed that Risner will be available if the Vikings choose to go in that direction.
“Just had a conversation with him,” O’Connell said. “He is fired up.”
Asked about his progress over the past week, Risner said he’s been working at both guard positions so far, meaning, in theory, he could replace either left guard Ezra Cleveland or right guard Ed Ingram. Frankly, where he slots into the lineup doesn’t matter to Risner, who prides himself on being versatile.
“My job isn’t to figure out when that role is going to come available to me,” Risner said. “My job is to help make this team better, and I’m grateful to be with the Vikings.”
What’s the biggest difference between left guard, which Risner has played throughout his career, and right guard, which Risner could be asked to play this week?
“Everything I’m doing at left guard I’m doing the exact opposite at right guard,” he said. “Just getting that down and making sure I’m using different hands and different feet.”
The fact that Risner has gotten work with the first team this week bodes well for him heading into Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. That wasn’t the case for Risner last week as he worked on scout team after being signed a few days before last Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“He’s doing a really nice job making sure he understands our language,” O’Connell said. “Just making up for some time that group has had together.”
How has he grasped the playbook since arriving in Minnesota?
“I’m feeling really, really good,” Risner said. “Every single day gets better and better.”
Now that he has managed to dive into the playbook. the next step for Risner is building chemistry with the rest of the offensive line. He knows he has to be able to make an adjustment on the fly, if, say, center Garrett Bradbury makes a protection call during the game.
“There are still things here and there that sometimes I hear that I’m, like, ‘Let me get refreshed on that,’ ” Risner said. “If there’s an audible, or a shift, or a blitz, or whatever it is, that changes the look, like, ‘How are we going to quickly get to the next look?’ It’s about getting to that next level.”
All that knowledge could pay off for Risner this weekend.
“It’s just a matter of getting all the terminology and verbiage,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “It doesn’t take him long. He’s a smart guy. He’s progressing quickly.”
Has it been quickly enough? That remains to be seen.
Related Articles
Vikings at Panthers: What to know ahead of Week 4 matchup
The lasting legacy of Vikings legend Adam Thielen in Minnesota
Vikings at Panthers picks: From 0-2 vs. 0-2 last week to 0-3 vs. 0-3 this week … this is embarrassing
The Loop NFL Picks: Week 4
When Vikings get Marcus Davenport back, nobody will be happier than Brian Flores