Minnesota Vikings rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner told reporters on Thursday he won’t play in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans but is optimistic he’ll be able to return to the field when the Vikings travel to face the Green Bay Packers in Week 4.
Turner suffered a knee injury late in the fourth quarter of Minnesota's Week 2 win over the San Francisco 49ers, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed confidence it wasn’t a major issue after the game. Turner reiterated O’Connell’s stance on Thursday when speaking with reporters, including KARE 11’s Julia Daniels, and said it wasn’t a long-term issue that should keep him out of next week's divisional showdown with the Packers.
“It was probably just a little more scary and stuff like that with just the past from high school and stuff like that. Just the history of the knee and stuff like that. But thank God it’s nothing serious.”
Minnesota Vikings rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner not playing against Houston Texans in Week 3
Turner suffered a leg injury that kept him out his entire sophomore season in high school, but it hasn’t been a problem since. Turner went on to star at the University of Alabama and the Vikings traded up to select him with the 17th overall pick in last April’s NFL Draft.
While Turner’s versatility has been on display with a sack in the season opener against the New York Giants, PFF hasn’t been too keen on his work this year, grading him 100th out of 118 qualifying edge rushers.
Turner has worked in a pass-rushing specialist role during his rookie season, mixing in during passing situations and working on special teams over the first two games.
Turner’s absence will be an issue for the Vikings, but not as big as it has been in previous years, thanks to the depth they have on defense.
Andrew Van Ginkel and Johnathan Greenard have starred so far this season after signing in free agency earlier this year, and fellow free-agent signing Blake Cashman has been another solid addition, occasionally rushing the passer in addition to his duties at middle linebacker.
It’s a position group that can withstand an injury to Turner and the Vikings will be hoping to have their rookie back when they take on the Packers in Week 4.