The newly extended HC/GM duo made trench upgrades on both sides of the ball top priority at the start of the offseason. They paid off their offensive promises by signing bruising center, Ryan Kelly (32 y/o), his young stud teammate with the Colts, Will Fries (27 y/o) and 2025 No. 24 overall draft pick, Donovan Jackson.

While these additions were great news for Minnesota Vikings fans who have been begging their favorite NFL team to shore up the offensive line for years, it was not the best news for some of the o-linemen who made up the 2024 front-five.

Center Garrett Bradbury, who had spent his entire six-year career in Minnesota, was released and picked up by the New England Patriots. Left guard Blake Brandel, who entered 2024 training camp with a lot of optimism surrounding his future, was demoted to the Vikings’ second unit.

Then, there’s last year’s starting right guard, Dalton Risner. The Vikings let his contract expire, and never really looked his way again, especially after making their OL upgrades. Unfortunately for the 30-year-old who’s started 81 games in his six-year NFL career, there wasn’t a lot of interest being drummed up elsewhere, either.

Dalton Risner lands visit with OL desperate Cincinnati Bengals

As of today, in fact, Risner remains a free agent. Reminder – The NFL season starts in 2.5 weeks. But alas, it appears the former Kansas State standout and 2nd round draft pick of the Denver Broncos is about to get his best shot being on an NFL roster since the moment Minnesota’s 2024 season ended.

According to independent NFL insider, Jordan Schultz, Dalton Risner has landed a visit tomorrow with the Cincinnati Bengals, who desperately need help protecting Joe Burrow, especially at guard.

Sources: The #Bengals will be hosting veteran G Dalton Risner on a free agent visit tomorrow.

Risner has started 81 games in his career. Cincinnati has been looking for interior offensive line help. pic.twitter.com/rBJfDuptBw

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 18, 2025

If you are the Bengals, I’m a bit surprised this call didn’t happens sooner. Dalton Risner is far from a perfect offensive lineman, but if there’s anything we know he does well, it’s pass block, something Cincinnati has struggled to do since drafting Joe Burrow.

Former Minnesota Vikings guard will help protect Joe Burrow, at least…

Over at PFF, Risner’s splits between pass and run blocking are quite jarring. His grades in pass block have varied between 67.4 and 76.1 all six seasons of his career. His run block grades have come in between 50.0 and 63.2.

But his issues with run blocking only partially explain why Dalton Risner is still on the market this late in the offseason. Then again, that’s been his story since the Broncos let him walk after the 2022 season.

For whatever reason, something about Risner seemed to rub people at TCO Performance Center the wrong way, too. He’s always gracious and well-spoken during his media sessions, so it’s difficult to understand exactly what that “something” is, but it’s there.

Related: MN Vikings Provide Massive Injury News on Key Wideouts

This isn’t the only time Dalton Risner has been forced to wait this late into free agency. The Minnesota Vikings did just about everything within their power to avoid signing him two offseasons ago, waiting until after the season started (Sept. 18, 2023) to finally get a deal done.

Last offseason, he agreed to come back as a backup behind Ed Ingram, after Blake Brandel took his left guard job. Risner regained his starting status when Minnesota finally bailed on the Ingram project, midway through last season, allowing Risner to take back his starting status for the remaining 10 games.

Of course, that has not been the case in recent offseasons, since Kwesi and head coach Kevin O’Connell too over control of the Vikings’ decision-making process. Thanks to the influx of salary cap space for 2025, the MN Vikings now have the No. 5 highest-paid line in football.

That’s a far cry from the past two offseasons, when they were still looking for cheap interior help, all the way up until the start of the regular season. And when they couldn’t find anyone else, Minnesota wound up defaulting to the same guard — Dalton Risner — both in 2023 and 2024, to help fill their void of talent up front.

The first time around, Minnesota actually waited all the way until September (2023) to finally sign Dalton Risner. This, after weeks (maybe even months) of fans begging the franchise to add Risner to its underperforming OL. After finally signing Risner, the Vikings felt comfortable enough trading Ezra Cleveland before the in-season trade deadline, cementing Risner at LG for 2023.

Dalton Risner claims Minnesota Vikings fans got him signed in 2023

Nonetheless, one year later, Risner went through the same thing, eventually inking a late preseason deal to stay in Minnesota for one more season, before taking Ed Ingram’s job, just like he did Ezra Cleveland’s, one year earlier. Now, Dalton Risner is on the free agent market yet again. This time around, it’s highly unlikely he ends up back in Eagan.

But the time he did spend here, Risner credits to the fans. In a recent post on TikTok, the now 29-year-old free agent told his followers that it was their public pressure in 2023 that landed him in purple originally, That, without Minnesota Vikings fans demanding he be signed, it never would have happened.

@dalton.risner

Winter Whiteout Vikings’s Memories!Check out part four & don’t forget to tell me what stories you wanna hear! More coming soon 🤫

♬ original sound – Dalton Risner

“I’ll tell you what, as soon as I put this sucker on, gosh these U.S. Bank stories start coming back to me. Right now I’m getting something about high kick, hitting T.J. Hockenson about five yards, kicking that stinking foot and stretching my hamstring, but oh wait…What’s coming to me even more? Minnesota Skol Country fans, Vikings fans! Pretty much getting me signed back in 2023. My guys, and girls, Vikings fans, were in uproar. They wanted me there. They hounded. They pounded the table for me. They knocked down the doors, and guess what? I became a Minnesota Viking. I mean shoot, I was playing in it too. I loved those Vikings fans…Thanks for pounding the table for me.”

Dalton Risner – TikTok

Dalton Risner spent the first four years of his career as a starting guard for the Denver Broncos, before the Vikings signed him in September 2023. Minnesota was never serious about keeping him around long-term, instead choosing to pay and move Blake Brandel to left guard, while giving Ed Ingram every opportunity to win the right guard spot. Now, it’s more than likely he moves onto his third NFL team in six seasons.

Risner family + Social media

Risner is no stranger to social media. While his TikTok pales in comparison to wife Whitney (1.1 million followers), he has generated significant content on the platform. His “helmet stories” segment is a feature of his profile, and the shoutout to Vikings fans will certainly be well-received.

Related: The Minnesota Vikings O-Line is Getting Expensive

Minnesota took their time re-signing Risner last offseason as they sought an upgrade in run blocking scenarios. Last season Risner finished 13th out of 135 guards in pass blocking per Pro Football Focus grades. He was 95th when it came to run blocking.

Loved seeing Dalton Risner's attitude, helping his teammates in this game. This is a well executed screen, and you can see Risner rush in to help pick up Hockenson at the end of it. pic.twitter.com/8jqWrnXwPQ

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) October 24, 2023

While Dalton Risner always appeared to be a really good teammate and ultimate professional, there has always been something the Minnesota Vikings didn’t seem to like about him, even beyond his struggle to run block. This year, they avoided future Risner questions by signeding guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly to bolster their offensive line.

Risner dealt with some injury issues with Minnesota last season. Still, he played in 25 games with the MN Vikings, between 2023 and 2024, including 19 starts. In 2024 Risner made $2.41 million, which is likely similar to what he is trying to get on the open market right now.

The Philadelphia Eagles just throttled the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Not only did they have a great defense, but they built their identity up front, on both lines. This is a strategy the Vikings will need to emulate soon, one they have yet to seriously pursue..

Minnesota Vikings need to make lines a priority

This season the Minnesota Vikings rolled out Blake Brandel as their left guard, hoping he would solidify that side. Performance issues then led to Dalton Risner stepping in for Ed Ingram at the other guard position, showcasing the team’s ongoing struggle to find consistency up front. The interior defensive line proved particularly weak, struggling against opposing offenses throughout the season. In contrast, the Philadelphia Eagles have long prioritized their linemen, both offensively and defensively, focusing on quality over quantity in their drafts. While Minnesota has not shied away from selecting linemen, their approach has often resulted in more bodies than standout performers, highlighting a clear disparity in strategy and execution between the two teams..

“Philadelphia has picked 40 players in the last five NFL drafts. Almost half of them have been linemen. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has not been shy about the trenches being his priority. “I’m sure there’s some people sick and tired of seeing the Philadelphia Eagles take linemen,” he said in 2021, “but that’s how we won a championship, and that’s how we’re going to win another championship.”

“Since 2020, the Vikings have had 17 picks in the first three rounds. They’ve used only two on defensive linemen: edge rushers Dallas Turner and Patrick Jones II. Conversely, during that span, Philadelphia has picked 16 players in the first three rounds. Five have been defensive linemen: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, Milton Williams and Jalyx Hunt.”

Alec Lewis on the Vikings line draft picks (The Athletic)

While this is largely in reference to the defensive front, the Minnesota Vikings need is two-fold. Help is a must on the interior of both lines, and Minnesota can’t afford to miss. They have virtually the entire cornerback room leaving, but the trenches also need to be addressed.

Related: NFL Insider Reveals: One Vikings DB Expected to Re-Sign, Another Likely to Leave

After a 14-win season, the Vikings own the 24th overall pick in the upcoming draft. It almost has to be used on a defensive tackle or guard. Thankfully this is a draft flush with interior talent.

Although the Vikings certainly get to laugh at the Eagles over the selection of Jalen Reagor leaving Justin Jefferson available, the other results have not been as kind.

“The other notable difference between the teams’ draftees in the trenches is the sheer number of hits. In 2018, the same year Philadelphia drafted Josh Sweat and Jordan Mailata in the fourth and seventh rounds, respectively, Minnesota whiffed on defensive tackle Jalyn Holmes and guard Colby Gossett in the fourth and sixth rounds. In 2022, the Eagles drafted starting center Cam Jurgens in the second round. Eight picks later, the Vikings snagged right guard and potential cut Ed Ingram.”

Lewis on the Vikings and Eagles line selections (The Athletic)

MN Draft Issues?

To say that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has missed during the draft process would be putting it kindly. He has been exceptional when identifying free agents, but cheap contracts are what allow a roster to function properly.

The Minnesota Vikings can’t afford to leave the lines untouched again, and they must make it work this offseason. Whether J.J. McCarthy is under center, or some other veteran quarterback is, both offense and defense need to show out up front.

Kevin O’Connell earned Coach of the Year honors this season because he got the team to perform despite lacking expectations. They are potentially going to take a step back next year, but the quality in the trenches can help to mitigate a disaster. As we learned this year however, expectations are just that.

But that isn’t the entire pregame story, this week. Sure, the Minnesota Vikings are 10-2, but they just fell behind another half-game in their own division on Thursday night, when the Detroit Lions defeated the Green Bay Packers, to move to 12-1, on their season. If the purple want to keep pace, they have to beat the Falcons.

Final Minnesota Vikings Injury Report – Week 14

And they will have to do that with one of the most crowded final injury reports of the season. On Friday, top cornerback Stephon Gilmore was officially ruled out, after missing practice all week. But he wasn’t the only one listed. Starters Dalton Risner (RG), Andrew Van Ginkel (EDGE) and rookie kicker Will Reichard, among others, were all listed as questionable.

Dalton Risner was one of the best offensive linemen on the Minnesota Vikings roster, last week, in their win over the Arizona Cardinals, posting an 88.0 PFF pass blocking grade, and a 69.9 overall grade. Both were 15-20 points higher than his career average.

On Thursday, the 29-year-old, 6-year NFL veteran surprisingly popped up on the injury report. One day later, he’s listed as questionable to play, meaning the Vikings may have turn back to Ed Ingram, who was a healthy scratch in week 13.

Related: Local Insider Would Bet on Blossoming Safety Leaving the Minnesota Vikings

Andrew Van Ginkel, who is near the top of just about every statistical defensive category on the Vikings roster, including tackles (59), sacks (9), interceptions touchdowns (2) and tackles for loss (15). He has been limited all week with a thigh injury.

Vikings defense in danger of losing their best players vs Atlanta Falcons

Losing Van Ginkel would be devastating to what the Vikings are trying to do defensively, especially since arguably their best cover corner is already out. The same can be said for Harrison Phillips, who is one of the emotional and veteran leaders of a Minnesota defense that relies on those guys to run the very free-willed defense that Brian Flores likes to run.

Even Pat Jones is enjoying a career year, The 26-year-old has played in 12 games and recorded 7.0 sacks, easily a career-high. The more of these guys they lose, the less freelancing and on-field adjustments will be made, pre-snap. In theory, that should make the Minnesota Vikings defense more predictable for a veteran QB like Kirk Cousins.

Related: Top 10 Most Defining Moments of Kirk Cousins Career with the Minnesota Vikings

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said that the Vikings will make a decision on Will Reichard today. As of now, John Parker Romo is still on the roster, but KOC said earlier this week that, barring any setbacks, Reichard was expected back vs the Falcons. Long-snapper Andrew DePaola is expected to return, after the team released his replacement earlier in the week.

Dalton Risner puts the Minnesota Vikings line in flux

It took some time before the Minnesota Vikings opted to bring back Dalton Risner this offseason. Then he failed to take the field while working through a back injury. Now, after making three straight starts in place of Ed Ingram, he’s dealing with the same issue again.

Thursday's #Vikings injury report pic.twitter.com/e8H9u3dMyn

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 5, 2024

There was no injury designation for Risner on Wednesday, but he recorded a limited practice on Thursday. The first two weeks in which Risner was active for Minnesota, he logged five and four snaps on special teams respectively. The last three weeks, as a starter, he played 100% of the offensive snaps.

Ed Ingram has left plenty to be desired this season for the Vikings, and O’Connell had decided that it was enough. Risner graded out exceptional in the win against Arizona. He has fared well in pass blocking situations while attempting to be passable in the running game.

#Vikings RG Dalton Risner had an 88.0 PBLK grade vs. #Cardinals according to PFF. 3rd Highest among guards in week 13.

👀 pic.twitter.com/fos0KETxH9

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) December 2, 2024

Unfortunately a level of availability is a trait that Risner must show if the Vikings are going to lean on him as a consistent member of the starting lineup. He has done nothing to lose the role to Ingram, but of course can’t be on the field while injured.

Related: Will Reichard Injury Update: Latest on Minnesota Vikings Kicker

Minnesota has one more opportunity to see if Risner can log a full practice on Friday. The Vikings would love to see a continued level of consistency on the line. It will be up to Risner to provide that.

Without looking outside the organization, the Vikings have had one option to try improving their RG spot the last couple of weeks. In fact, 29-year-old career starter Dalton Risner told media members over a month ago, that he was 100% healed from the back injury that originally put him on the PUP list.

Minnesota Vikings finally starting Dalton Risner over Ed Ingram

But for whatever reason, head coach Kevin O’Connell was resistant to replacing Ingram with Risner… until today, vs the Titans. In week 11, Dalton Risner officially gets the start over Ed Ingram. The switch was first reported by media members watching warm-ups and Nissan Stadium about 30 minutes prior to kickoff. Moments later, the team confirmed it.

In pregame warmups, Dalton Risner is working at right guard in place of Ed Ingram. That's notable. Ingram has started all 41 games he has been active for since the Vikings made him a 2nd round pick in 2022. Missed 2 games b/c of injury in 2023.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 17, 2024

As previously noted, Dalton Risner publicly pleaded for the Vikings to activate him off the PUP list pretty much immediately after he became eligible, but they mostly maxed out his 21-day return window, instead. Then, when he did finally return to the active roster in week 9, Risner was on the sideline and Ed Ingram remained on the field. Week 10 came and went… same thing.

What does this move tell us?

What made the Vikings change their thinking in week 11? Tennessee has one of the best run defenses in football, and Dalton Risner is a terrible run blocker, so what gives? While Risner is knowingly brutal when run blocking, the former Denver Bronco 2nd round pick has been an above average pass blocker, throughout his career.

The other side of the coin, Ed Ingram, is pretty much the opposite. So what this move tells me is that Kevin O’Connell plans to air the offense out with Sam Darnold vs Titans. Why force something that won’t be there? Put in your best pass blockers and air it out.

The Minnesota Vikings moved some pieces around this offseason, inserting Blake Brandel at left guard, and giving up on 2023 starter, Dalton Risner. But after Risner hit an open market that lacked interest in his services, he crawled back to the Vikings and took a deal for backup money, hoping to earn a starting role.

Related: Another Minnesota Vikings Game Targeted as Prime Time Flex Candidate

Unfortunately, he dealt with injuries during training camp, and landed on the Physically Unable to Perform list, to start the 2024 season. That left the Vikings with no choice other than to start 2022 second round pick Ed Ingram, who is having the worst season of his unimpressive three-year career.

But, even when Risner has been healthy, the Minnesota Vikings have shown little interest in his services. They new they were weak on the interior OL last offseason, and they let Dalton walk anyway.

For this week’s home team, the biggest question is not at quarterback or at head coach. It’s on the injury report, which has yet to release for Wednesday. Less than 24 hours ago, the Minnesota Vikings traded for Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson, to replace left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was lost for the season, after tearing his ACL and MCL last week vs the LA Rams.

Kevin O’Connell gives the official green light on TJ Hockenson and Dalton Risner

But outside Darrisaw’s devastating departure, the injury skyline is looking brighter and brighter in Vikings land. On Wednesday afternoon, head coach Kevin O’Connell met with media members and gave updates on TJ Hockenson and Dalton Risner, two players coming off the Physically Unable to Perform list.

#Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell says TE T.J. Hockenson WILL NOT be on a snap count on Sunday against the @Colts.

O'Connell said he's healthy and ready to go. pic.twitter.com/H1YFfKjdwI

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 30, 2024

So, Hockenson will be active on Sunday. KOC was less committal on Risner’s status vs the Colts, however. the head coach confirmed that Dalton is 100% healthy, and that he will be in a Vikings uniform sooner, rather than later.

Related: NFL Trade Rumors: Another 2022 Vikings Draft Pick May be Exiled by Deadline

But O’Connell stopped short of confirming whether or not Dalton Risner will be active in week 9. Unlike Hockenson, Risner’s PUP practice window is not expired yet. Both players spent the first eight weeks of the season on the PUP list.

HC Kevin O'Connell said @Vikings G Dalton Risner is 100% healthy and "ready-to-roll".

He's hoping to get him up to speed this week and said "you're going to see Risner in a uniform sooner rather than later".

Risner must be activated by next Monday, Nov 04. pic.twitter.com/EaAZrrir7K

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 30, 2024

Not every injured Viking got the green light from KOC today, though. There was a lot of mystery surrounding Blake Cashman and his status for Sunday’s game vs the Colts, a game that was originally targeted as a likely return from his turf toe injury.

Minnesota Vikings less sure about Blake Cashman’s status vs Colts

On Tuesday, he refused an interview request from reporters in the Minnesota Vikings locker room and insider sources had gone from optimistic last week, to leaving text messages regarding Cashman on “read” this week.

Related: Vikings Reportedly Knew All Along They Were Never Activating TJ Hockenson Early

According to the Vikings head coach, during his press conference today, Cashman will have a full ‘individual’ workout on the sidelines, during practice Wednesday. How he responds to that workout will likely dictate his practice schedule and game day availability for the rest of the week.

The Minnesota Vikings injury report came out later in the afternoon. As promised, both Hockenson and Risner were full participants. Blake Cashman, unfortunately, was a DNP.

Wednesday's #Vikings injury report pic.twitter.com/xCatILnJLs

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 30, 2024

Vikings LB Blake Cashman (turf toe) is going to work on the side today during practice, per Kevin O'Connell, and then the team will determine whether he's ready to resume practicing and be in line to play Sunday night.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 30, 2024

Most likely, the former Gopher needs to practice in some sort of fashion Thursday, if he has any chance to play on Sunday night vs the Indianapolis Colts. David Quessenberry and Taki Taimani were limited. Akayleb Evans, Hockenson, Risner, Theo Jackson and Josh Oliver were listed as “Full” participants.

There are options on the free agent market. The Vikings are also expected to be buyers, before the trade deadline, and could add a left tackle to their shopping list. But they only have one week before they’ll take the field again, and running David Quessenberry back out there is not an option worth considering.

Line shuffles as Minnesota Vikings replace Christian Darrisaw

This isn’t the first time that Christian Darrisaw has missed time. He has never made it through a full season, since being drafted 23rd overall in 2021. So replacing his production midseason, is nothing new. But he’s also never been this dominant, either.

Previously it has been Blake Brandel to step in, and another offensive line activation could free him up to slide back over. Matthew Coller seems to think that’s the path forward as he suggested on a recent Purple Insider episode.

“I’ll tell ya the one that sounds like it’s the most clear. Of the three different options, the first one is, in my mind, to put Dalton Risner at left guard and then move Blake Brandel over to left tackle. That’s the one that makes the most sense to me because Brandel came up as a left tackle in this league. He’s a starting caliber player. He has played over 270 snaps at left tackle, in 2022. If you remember, the Buffalo game, Darrisaw went out of that game and Brandel came in and saved the day. Slowed down the Buffalo pass rush. He is a capable starting offensive lineman who has a lot of experience at left tackle.”

Mattew Coller on Blake Brandel moving to LT (Purple Insider)

Coller’s suggestion is certainly the most straightforward option for Kevin O’Connell. Brandel has already stepped in for Darrisaw and knows the responsibilities. It’s unfortunate that Risner starting doesn’t send Ed Ingram to the bench, but the veteran has his own warts too. This is an offensive line configuration we saw last year, and would at least be a competent group, on paper.

Related: 5 Christian Darrisaw Injury Replacements for the Minnesota Vikings

Darrisaw’s injury hurts Sam Darnold the most. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback has already been sacked the 2nd most times of any QB in the league (21), behind only Deshaun Watson (33). He has held onto the football for far too long this season, and making a tweak there could help him find better situations moving forward.

Among all #NFL pocket QBs, nobody has held the ball longer than @Vikings QB Sam Darnold.

A large part of the problem on why his sack rate is so high.

(H/T): @Purple_Insider https://t.co/RpKtZUkvbr pic.twitter.com/HrCInLf37Q

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 26, 2024

Related: Minnesota Vikings Finally Activate TJ Hockenson

The Vikings will need to first activate Risner heading into their game against the Indianapolis Colts. Where Brandel lines up throughout practice this week will give us every indication as to what the plan moving forward will look like.

Minnesota Vikings downgrade Hockenson, Risner to OUT vs LA Rams

Thursday afternoon at 3 PM, the Minnesota Vikings officially ruled their pro bowl tight end and pass block specialist at right guard OUT tonight vs the Rams. Both players were limited all week long, in practice, but it was believed they had a very good chance to make their season debuts. But when push came to shove, neither was elevated from their 21-day PUP practice window.

The #Vikings have elevated DL Jalen Redmond and TE Robert Tonyan to the active roster for tonight's game.

TE T.J. Hockenson and G Dalton Risner have both been downgraded to OUT.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 24, 2024

Vikings showing extreme caution with TJ Hockenson

For Hockenson, this seems like a move of precaution. The game tonight will be played on artificial turf and the Vikings can give their very expensive tight end another two weeks to rehab his injury, if they sit him out tonight. Their next game is Sunday, November 3 vs the Indianapolis Colts.

Related: Wait… the Minnesota Vikings Eat How Many Uncrustables?

Friday (Oct 25) is the final day the Minnesota Vikings can activate Hockenson and put him on the active roster. Once a 21-day PUP practice window comes to an end, a player must be elevated or placed on season-ending injured reserve. Unless something crazy happens, he will be on the Vikings’ active roster tomorrow.

WTF is going on with Dalton Risner?

The decision to keep Dalton Risner’s practice window open doesn’t make as much sense. It’s been about a week since Risner stood in front of Vikings reporters and told them he was 100% and ready to play immediately. Three days later, vs the Lions, the 29-year-old five-year NFL vet was not active.

Related: The Adam Thielen to Minnesota Vikings Trade Rumors are Here

Now, just four days later, he’s inactive again. Dalton Risner’s window was triggered after Hockenson’s, so his 21-days is not up until November 4, after Minnesota’s next game vs the Colts. Does Risner have any trade value? That could be argued, but i’d be surprised if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wouldn’t jump at the chance to move him, if given one.

More Minnesota Vikings pregame roster moves

While Hockenson and Risner were downgraded, the Minnesota Vikings elevated DL Jalen Redmond and TE Robert Tonyan to the active roster for Thursday Night Football. Redmond has seen some snaps for Brian Flores’ defense, when active (16 snaps). He will also play on the field goal block unit. Tonyan has 13 offensive snaps this season and 12 special teams snaps.

Final Minnesota Vikings injury report – Week 8 vs Rams

The Vikings are on a short week. Their injury report on Monday and Tuesday has been pretty packed, with a bunch of guys limited in practice. Linebacker Blake Cashman is about to miss his second game in a row. This isn’t exactly surprising since he hasn’t practiced at all the past two weeks.

The former Gopher has been dealing with a turf toe injury that he picked up during the Week 5 matchup against the New York Jets. Outside of Cashman, almost everyone is good to go for tomorrow night. The only question marks are two key players, whose status is still up in the air.

Final #MINvsLAR injury report

OUT: Blake Cashman

QUESTIONABLE: Akayleb Evans, T.J. Hockenson* and Dalton Risner*

*Returned to Practice – Currently within 21-day practice window pic.twitter.com/j9hOyq05Nj

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 23, 2024

T.J. Hockenson’s return is still up in the air, but he was expected to play, earlier this week. He’s questionable for the second straight week. His practice window ends on October 25, meaning Thursday is the final game he can miss,, without landing on long-term IR.

Star running back Aaron Jones is all set to go this week with no injury tag holding him back. He’s fully cleared, so expect him to be ready to roll come game time.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Insider Shuts Down Matthew Stafford Rumors

Dalton Risner, who’s also been out all season, is officially listed as questionable. He was a full participant in practice yesterday, though. That makes it more likely he’ll be available tomorrow night, though nothing’s set in stone. If he goes, we’ll see if he takes Ed Ingram’s job.