Dalton Risner Grateful for Return to Vikings Practice, Reps at Right Guard

EAGAN, Minn. — No wonder Dalton Risner quickly became a Vikings fan favorite. His positive demeanor is unshakeable.

“My motivation level is through the roof,” the sixth-year guard declared loudly following Monday’s practice. “My motivation level is always going to be through the roof. … I have a lot I want to prove.”

The Vikings opened Risner’s 21-day evaluation window on Monday as the team returned to action from its Week 6 bye. Risner opened the season on short-term Injured Reserve after suffering a back injury during training camp. He is eligible to return to play at any point in the 21-day window that’s used to evaluate his body’s response to football activities.

“[Practice] is something you take for granted when you get to do it for a long time,” shared Risner, who has started 73 of 77 NFL games. “You get it taken away from you for a little bit, and it makes you miss it.”

Risner’s recovery took longer than he would have preferred, he said, but he feels 100 percent and is excited to help the 5-0 Vikings however he can – even if it means switching sides of the offensive line and handling a different assignment.

“I’m comfortable at right and left, whatever guard position it is, truly whatever position they want me to play, I’m ready to go,” Risner said. “You guys know I just want to play football – you know what I mean? I’m so grateful to be a Viking. Grateful to put the pads back on and go out there and move around today.”