Minnesota Vikings Finally Shaking Up Starting O-Line vs Titans

The Minnesota Vikings are 7-2, as they enter Sunday’s noon matchup vs the Tennessee Titans, but that gaudy record doesn’t come without warts. Most notably, the interior offensive line has struggled throughout the season, protecting QB Sam Darnold, especially right guard Ed Ingram.

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.

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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.