Minnesota Vikings Trigger 21-Day Practice Window for Veteran Guard

The Minnesota Vikings bye week is nearly over . Monday Night Football will be played tonight, and then the NFL in-season calendar will flip from week 6 to week 7. But prior to that happening, the Vikings made official roster news Monday afternoon. Offensive guard Dalton Risner is beginning his 21-day practice window today.

It isn’t breaking news that the Minnesota Vikings have major issues right now, at the exact position Dalton Risner now plays, which is right guard. Ed Ingram has been one of the worst offensive linemen in the league, especially in pass protection.

Minnesota Vikings right guard battle: Ed Ingram vs Dalton Risner

His PFF grades are so bad through 5 games, that he is in danger of losing his starting job, the moment Risner returns from the PUP list, which could now happen any day. Below, you’ll see that Ingram has struggled mightily all season. But last week, you have to think the Vikings hit a breaking point, when Ed posted a horrendous 19.8 pass block grade.

The Minnesota Vikings were very clear, in how they operated during training camp and preseason, that they wanted Ed Ingram to be their right guard of the future. They forced Dalton Risner to switch positions, from left guard to right guard, in order to compete with Ingram.

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But Risner took mostly 2nd team reps, when healthy during training camp. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been healthy enough to really compete with Ingram. Hopefully, that is now changing. That’s good news for the Vikings passing game, since pass blocking is where Risner excels. That’s why Alec Lewis (The Athletic) sees a change coming.

Is there any chance Risner will replace Ed Ingram?

Yes, but the Vikings aren’t just going to hand him Ingram’s job. Though Ingram has accounted for the second-most pressures in the league among guards, he has been an effective run blocker. Risner’s back must allow him to play, and if that happens, he must prove he can handle the right guard spot. Right tackle Brian O’Neill commended Ingram’s communication ability a couple of weeks ago, so the continuity is a factor, too.

Alec Lewis – The Athletic

The Minnesota Vikings have given Ingram literally every opportunity to earn the starting job at RG.. but it sounds like they may be done waiting. If fixing the Vikings pass block is head coach Kevin O’Connell’s priority, then it seems very likely Dalton Risner will usurp Ingram sooner rather than later.

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