The Minnesota Vikings might be enjoying their bye week, but that doesn't mean the team is away from the office and relaxing on a beach somewhere. The purple and gold have been busy preparing for Week 7 when they face the Detroit Lions.
On Monday, the Vikings announced that a major contributor from last season could rejoin the team soon. The team shared that he returned to the practice field on Monday to get up to speed for his 2024 NFL season debut.
Vikings open practice window for former starting offensive lineman
According to the official website of the Minnesota Vikings, offensive lineman Dalton Risner entered his 21-day window to return from injury after dealing with a back injury suffered during training camp this year.
Last season, Risner took part in 802 snaps for Minnesota, playing 75 percent of the team's offensive snaps. He was only penalized three times in 2023, once for holding, once for false start, and one call that was offset or declined.
The Vikings currently have Blake Brandel starting at left guard and Ed Oliver at right guard. It will be interesting to see what Minnesota does with Risner once he returns to the active roster since he is a former starter and could be an asset to the offense.
Dalton Risner joins tight end T.J. Hockenson as players who had their practice windows opened. The team will have 21 days to make a decision on if or when to place those players on the active roster and how they will use them once they are back.
The Week 7 game at home against the Detroit Lions will be a huge test, but it is possible that neither Risner nor Hockenson will be elevated by that time. If the team holds off, it wouldn't be surprising to see returns in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams or Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Standing six-foot-five and weighing 312 pounds, Dalton Risner would provide some great depth and experience on the offensive line. When he returns, it will mark his sixth season in the NFL. He spent his first four seasons with the Broncos after being selected by Denver No. 41 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Keep an eye on Dalton Risner and T.J. Hockenson as both could return to the field for the Minnesota Vikings soon. Both players could be a big help to a 5-0 team hoping to continue their winning ways this season.
