Vikings Turn Pressure Up on Dallas Turner After Andrew Van Ginkel's Latest Injury
By Chris Schad
The Minnesota Vikings had two first-round picks in the 2024 NFL draft but had to wait until the 2025 season for the duo to produce results. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy proved his worth by leading a fourth-quarter comeback against the Chicago Bears on Monday night; however, fans are still waiting to see something from edge rusher Dallas Turner.
The Vikings paid a hefty price to acquire Turner in the 2024 draft, trading up from the No. 23 overall pick, which they acquired in a separate trade with the Houston Texans. The second trade, which sent a 2024 fifth-round pick, a 2025 third-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, was enough to make analytics writers’ heads explode and was made worse with a minimal impact last season.
In the minds of some Vikings fans, the time for Turner to reach his potential is now. The pressure got turned up when head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel had entered concussion protocol during Wednesday’s press conference.
Andrew Van Ginkel’s Concussions Opens the Door for Dallas Turner to Start in Week 2
O’Connell announced several injuries that stemmed from Monday’s game, which included Van Ginkel and cornerback Jeff Okudah entering the concussion protocol. Although O’Connell said they’re both doing well, Van Ginkel’s injury comes on the heels of him missing most of the past month due to a neck injury and opens the door for Turner to potentially start against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.
Perhaps the sudden promotion is what Turner needs to get going. The Alabama product was a terror during his collegiate career, notching 10 sacks and All-American honors in his final season with the Crimson Tide. The decision to trade up for Turner turned O’Connell into a meme on draft night, which was only made worse when he failed to live up to the hype with only 20 total tackles with three sacks, a pass deflection, and an interception during his rookie year.
Turner was tabbed for an increased role in Brian Flores’s defense heading into his second season, but failed to meet expectations in Week 1. According to Pro Football Focus, Turner generated a pair of pressures on 17 pass-rushing snaps and added a run stop for his lone tackle of the game. He also registered an underwhelming 52.1 overall grade and 58.9 pass-rushing grade, signaling some room for improvement.
The Vikings have sent mixed signals with Flores telling team reporter Lindsey Young that Turner looked “much more comfortable” while also admitting “he’s got to work a significant amount” to reach his standard during June’s minicamp. The front office also sent a message of their own, signing Van Ginkel to a one-year, $23 million contract extension this summer.
Turner’s development has been a slow burn for Vikings fans who have watched Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard become key parts of Flores’s defense. If he doesn’t take advantage of a potential opportunity on Sunday, it could cause many to wonder if his long-awaited breakout will ever happen.
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