Dalton Risner stood in front of an NFL locker for the first time since mid-January as a new nameplate was mounted behind him.
For the fourth-year veteran guard, everything is brand new once more.
Tuesday saw the end of Risner’s eight-month free agency when he signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
The team that selected him in the first round, the Denver Broncos, had him for the previous four seasons.
In total, 41 in 2019.
It’s a privilege to be here.
I’m delighted to be here.
Happy to bring what I have to the Minnesota Vikings, Risner said on Wednesday.
“However that looks, I think my current responsibility is to join this team as a Minnesota Viking and to assist in helping them win games.
I will do as instructed by the coaches to prepare the defense for this week’s game against the Chargers.
“.
Wednesday’s practice for the Vikings included a morning walk-through, which was Risner’s first appearance.
Given that his new teammates have been practicing together since late July, he has a lot of catching up to do.
“I want to gain these guys’ respect, and I want to be here every day and show them I’m ready to do whatever role that is.
I’ll carry the pads off the field after practice if you need me to, Risner said.
“At this point, I couldn’t care less what that role is. I merely want to gain the guys’ respect on this team.
“.
Risner met most of the Vikings staff during training camp, despite the fact that he claimed he is still figuring things out.
He met with the general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, head coach Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, offensive line and assistant offensive line coaches Chris Kuper and Justin Rascati during a visit in August.
He was coached by Cooper and Rascati in Denver for three years.
Following a number of injuries to Minnesota’s offensive line, that initial visit laid the groundwork for Risner to join the team.
At Philadelphia, where he started in place of Christian Darrisaw, swing tackle Olisaemeka Udoh suffered a quadriceps tendon injury that required surgery.
Last week, center Garrett Bradbury was sidelined with a back injury.
On Wednesday, he did not work out.
With an ankle injury, Darrisaw missed last week’s game.
On Wednesday, he had some limitations.
O’Connell stated, “I want them to be the driving force behind that success.
We spent a lot of time this past weekend as a coaching staff looking at our run game, looking at what we’ve done, what we can do better, how we can coach it better, and how I can call it better.
“Ultimately, having that depth now makes you feel much more at ease than you would have for the duration of a long season, knowing that you’ve used eight players in eight quarters.
We will observe how everything turns out.
Let Dalton catch up first.
“.
The Vikings’ ground attack has been hampered by injuries and playing against two talented defensive fronts. But the Chargers are giving up 105.05 rushing yards per game on average. Risner is eager to help, but he admitted that he’s still getting acclimated to his new playbook and finding the team cafeteria.
I’m still unsure of how to navigate this place.
The facility is sizable and lovely.
Already, I’ve lost my way two or three times,” Risner joked.
“I came here to play if they wanted me to, and that is what I will do.
The fact that I lack knowledge is irrelevant to me.
I’ll just ask someone. But I’ll provide whatever assistance they require.
I’ll provide water on the sidelines if they ask me to.
“.
Risner said free agency went differently than expected, despite the fact that he started all 62 games for the Broncos over the course of four seasons.
Although 16 teams expressed interest, he claimed it took until now to find the ideal scenario.
He is feeling revitalized and motivated to perform to the best of his ability with the Vikings.
In the NFL, I believe I’m a really good guard. I thus have a great deal to prove.
Since the fact that I was accessible when I was, it proves the exact opposite,” claimed Risner.