Questions Answered: Hockenson and Risner, More Proof from the Vikings, Dallas Turner
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the September 30th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Hockenson and Risner, More Proof from the Vikings, Dallas Turner
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But weâll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: Will T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Risner be ready to go on Sunday?
Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports.
Answer: No.
Week 5 is merely when the window opens for both men to start practicing. Fans should not expect Hockenson or Risner on the field in London.
âYeah, weâre working through that right now based upon the unique aspect of this week (going to London), and then leading right into the bye week. Weâll have some dialog and try to do whatâs best for both those guys to be in their best positions to maximize that window and when theyâre available to us, theyâre going to be available. Iâm excited about both those guys,â head coach Kevin OâConnell replied when asked about Hockenson and Risnerâs return.
OâConnell continued, âTheyâve been working really hard behind the scenes and, both T.J. and Dalton are here for the plan that we kind of set upon at the end of training camp, knowing right about the time we get them back, it would be a nice boost for our team. So want to give them the ample amount of practice time, because itâs one thing to just open a window, but what does that practice look like?â
Week 7 or 8 is a more realistic return date for Hockenson, and more clues will be available about Risner in the next week.
Q: What more proof do you need to realize this Vikings team can win the Super Bowl?
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Answer: Playing from behind.
Itâs awesome that the 2024 Vikings virtually never trail in games; it means theyâre a wonderful football team. However, sooner or later, some team will smack them in the face, and weâll have to wait and see how the club responds. And, yes â this can be considered a Sam Darnold test.
Besides nearly melting down from a 28-0 lead in Week 4, Minnesota has faced little regular season adversity. That will come when they trail by a touchdown or two in the next 13 games.
If that goes well, sure â the Vikings can be Super Bowl caliber. They have all the players and numbers for it right now.
Q: Is Dallas Turner at full strength? I didnât see him much against the Packers.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
Answer: Heâs working his way back to a full workload.
You are correct: Turner saw action on just 11 players in the win over Green Bay. Minnesota is easing him back into the lineup, hence the reduced snap count on Sunday.
Thankfully, the Vikingsâ EDGE depth is impressive. Turner should be back to a typical snap count next or against the Lions in three weeks. All is well.
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, âThe Sopranos,â Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.Â
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
