Sunday Is a Big Day for 1 Vikings Defender
Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears will almost feel like a do-or-die contest for the Minnesota Vikings. With a 4-5 record, they are slowly but surely running out of margin for error. Kevin O’Connell’s crew needs to deliver in Week 11 to keep the playoff chances in a realistic range.
Sunday Is a Big Day for 1 Vikings Defender
The entire team needs to show up, but that’s even more important for some than for others. For example, J.J. McCarthy has a lot to prove and needs a decent day after a stinker last week.
But that can be said about a different sophomore, too. Dallas Turner can be expected to enter the biggest game of his young career, and the reason for that is obvious: Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard won’t be available for the first time since joining the Vikings in free agency of 2024.
Turner has been a backup for Greenard and running mate Andrew Van Ginkel in his tenure with the Vikings. Considering his first-round draft status paired with an expensive trade to bring the Alabama alumnus to the Twin Cities, the expectations — fair or not — were high. Through the first season and a half, he hasn’t come close to reaching them.
Last year, he played 300 defensive snaps and had three sacks. This season, he has already played 366 snaps on defense, but the sack production hasn’t been there in the first nine games of his sophomore campaign.
Now, it is important to note that Turner replaced Van Ginkel, who was dealing with a nagging neck injury, and Van Ginkel’s role is more than just rushing the passer. Therefore, Turner has only 141 pass-rushing snaps on the season.
Still, compared to guys like Laiatu Latu of the Colts or Jared Verse of the Rams, Turner hasn’t had his breakthrough. Unlike those two legitimate Pro Bowl threats, however, he came into the league as a 21-year-old with high upside but also a ton to learn, while still growing into his body.
The Vikings didn’t help lower expectations in the summer, when they promised Vikings fans a three-player rotation between Greenard, Van Ginkel, and Turner. Flores often called them “three starters”.
So far, they are better described as a couple of Pro Bowlers and a rotational player. Turner has made strides. He’s an explosive athlete, and he got stronger at the point of attack. He’s made some excellent plays against the run, showing his athleticism, but also his discipline and willingness to star in that area rather than becoming a one-dimensional pass rusher.
Without Greenard, the Vikings need a different primary rusher, and it’s unlikely that Van Ginkel would step into that role, as he’s too valuable as Flores’ Joker.
And there you have it, Turner’s chance to get after Caleb Williams. Chicago’s QB1 has been outstanding this season at avoiding sacks, but Greenard got to him in Week 1 various times, just failing to finish the plays. Williams is effective at wiggling out of pressure.
Last week, Turner recorded a QB takedown against Lamar Jackson, but was flagged for unnecessary roughness. Unfortunately, he landed with his full body weight on the passer, and that hasn’t been allowed for nearly a decade. A couple of weeks prior, he headbutted Justin Herbert, which earned him another flag.
Turner has made 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season. He’s already collected more QB pressures, hits, and hurries this year than he had last year, while also improving against the run.
The growth is there, but he has yet to have a signature breakout game. All eyes will be on him on Sunday.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.