Vikings sign guard Dalton Risner to give hurting offensive line a boost

Published 5:46 pm Tuesday, September 19, 2023

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EAGAN — The Minnesota Vikings signed former Denver guard Dalton Risner on Tuesday to try to shore up what has been a problematic position for several seasons.

Risner visited the Vikings for a workout during training camp. Drafted in the second round out of Kansas State in 2019, Risner started 62 games in four years for the Broncos. He became a free agent and had been unsigned.

To make room on the active roster, the Vikings placed tackle Oli Udoh on injured reserve with a torn quadriceps tendon he suffered in the team’s most recent game at Philadelphia.

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The Vikings ( 0-2 ) are last in the NFL in rushing yards and third worst in the league with an average of 2.65 yards per attempt. Center Garrett Bradbury was sidelined by a back injury in the season opener. Right guard Ed Ingram has struggled often since winning the job as a rookie last season.

“I do have a lot of confidence in our guys, but clearly we’ve got to do something a little bit differently and really focus on how to run the football better,” coach Kevin O’Connell said after the loss to the Eagles.