 celebrates his touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/USATSI_19678502.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/USATSI_19678502.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button”><figcaption> Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.</figcaption></figure>
<p>The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered <a href=)
by VikingsTerritory. Today is the September 30th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Hockenson and Risner, More Proof from the Vikings, Dallas Turner
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
 fumbles the ball after being hit by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) during the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, September 29, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Vikings recovered the ball. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/murphball.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=656,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/murphball.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/murphball-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Mark Hoffman/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<h3>Q: Will T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Risner be ready to go on Sunday?</h3>
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Kevin O’Connell replied when asked about Hockenson and Risner’s return.
O’Connell continued, “They’ve been working really hard behind the scenes and, both T.J. and Dalton are here for the plan that we kind of set upon at the end of training camp, knowing right about the time we get them back, it would be a nice boost for our team. So want to give them the ample amount of practice time, because it’s one thing to just open a window, but what does that practice look like?”
Week 7 or 8 is a more realistic return date for Hockenson, and more clues will be available about Risner in the next week.
Q: What more proof do you need to realize this Vikings team can win the Super Bowl?
 catches a pass from quarterback Sam Darnold (14) against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24301252.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24301252.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/USATSI_24301252-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Answer:</strong> Playing from behind. </p>
<p>It’s awesome that the 2024 Vikings virtually never trail in games; it means they’re a wonderful football team. However, sooner or later, some team will smack them in the face, and we’ll have to wait and see how the club responds. And, yes — this can be considered a Sam Darnold test.</p>
<p>Besides nearly melting down from a 28-0 lead in Week 4, Minnesota has faced little regular season adversity. That will come when they trail by a touchdown or two in the next 13 games.</p>
<p>If that goes well, sure — the Vikings can be Super Bowl caliber. They have all the players and numbers for it right now. </p>
<h3 id=)
Q: Is Dallas Turner at full strength? I didn’t see him much against the Packers.
 celebrates a sack with linebacker Dallas Turner (15) during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFL-Minnesota-Vikings-at-New-York-Giants-24187484.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFL-Minnesota-Vikings-at-New-York-Giants-24187484.jpg” tabindex=”0″ role=”button” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/NFL-Minnesota-Vikings-at-New-York-Giants-24187484-788×444.jpg” alt=”NFL: Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants”><figcaption> Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure>
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<p><span><strong>Answer:</strong></span> He’s working his way back to a full workload.</p>
<p>You are correct: Turner saw action on just 11 players in the win over Green Bay. Minnesota is easing him back into the lineup, hence the reduced snap count on Sunday.</p>
<p>Thankfully, the Vikings’ EDGE depth is impressive. Turner should be back to a typical snap count next or against the Lions in three weeks. All is well.</p>
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<p><a aria-label=)
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
