Dalton Risner Moving to New Position?
It was a busy day at training camp for the Minnesota Vikings. The purple took the field on Wednesday for the first time in front of media members. Jordan Addison spoke publicly for the first time since his DUI arrest. Justin Jefferson gushed about Sam Darnold, Mechi Blackmon tore his ACL and Dalton Risner is apparently moving to right guard.
In other words, it was very much an up and down day at TCO Performance Center yesterday. The Vikings are now on the hunt for yet another cornerback, but seem to have the opposite problem at guard.
Minnesota Vikings moving Dalton Risner to right guard already?
When Dalton Risner, who has started 72 games at left guard during his 5-year NFL career, arrived at camp, he knew there was a possibility he could be moved to right guard, at some point. Essentially, he came in competing with both Blake Brandel (LG) and Ed Ingram (RG).
Risner’s playing time, as long as all three guards are healthy, is dependent on how he performs, compared to the other two. He told Judd Zulgad (SKOR North) yesterday, however, that his move to RG is happening earlier than the 29-year-old expected. He’s never played right guard in his life.
Talked to Risner after practice. Said he has never played right guard in his life but was informed before practice that's where he'd be working. Acknowledged it's an adjustment but said he felt good. Risner said he doesn't know the long term plan for him. https://t.co/11oF5bd88O
— Judd Zulgad (@jzulgad) July 24, 2024
Risner’s move to right guard isn’t a complete surprise
A couple of months ago, news broke that Dalton Risner would be taking reps at both left and right guard during training cam. That 27-year-old Blake Brandel would be taking the majority of his reps on the left side. But that wasn’t the first sign that Risner may be on the move.
Even when he first re-signed back in the end of May, Kevin O’Connell made it very clear to Risner, and publicly, that he was not a shoe-in for the starting left guard spot. His one-year marked down contract tells the same story.
Related: Justin Jefferson Blown Away by Sam Darnold’s “Bombs” Early at Vikings Training Camp
And now, at least for the foreseeable future, it appears Risner’s best chance at earning playing time is by beating out 25-year-old Ed Ingram. Ingram has started 32 games at right guard, since being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
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