Report: Vikings to place Dalton Risner on IR

Minnesota will be without Risner for at least the first four games.

Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Brandon Powell (4) celebrates after a touchdown with guard Dalton Risner (66) against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings are placing offensive lineman Dalton Risner on injured reserve, according to an X post by NFL insider Adam Schefter. That means Risner will miss the first four weeks of the season before he's eligible to return in Week 5.

Vikings are placing offensive lineman Dalton Risner on IR. He will be eligible to come back after four games.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2024

After signing a one-year deal to come back to the Vikings this offseason, Risner was firmly on the roster bubble. As the team cuts the roster down to 53 before Tuesday's deadline, this move will open up an extra roster spot.

Related: One final Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster prediction before cutdown day

Risner started 11 games for the Vikings last season and 73 over his five-year career, but he was dealing with a bad back that kept him off the field most of training camp and the entire preseason. He will now get an opportunity to get healthy and work his way onto the 53-man roster.

If healthy, Risner could compete with Ed Ingram for the starting right guard job.