The Minnesota Vikings will be without star edge rusher Jonathan Greenard for the remainder of the season. He aggravated a shoulder injury during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night and is scheduled for surgery to address the issue. This injury has been a persistent challenge for Greenard, significantly impacting his performance throughout the season.
Greenard previously missed games against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers last month due to this nagging injury. His return to the field was fueled by determination, as he played through considerable discomfort. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Greenard’s resilience and leadership, stating, “He was not going to be denied when he got his strength and got what he needed to be cleared to play. He knew he would not be able to put this behind him until probably he could get it fixed whenever that was going to be.”
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Greenard left a strong impression in his final game of the season. During the Vikings’ 34-26 victory over the Cowboys, he generated significant pressure on veteran quarterback Dak Prescott and recorded a sack. This performance earned him a remarkable grade of 90.5 from Pro Football Focus, highlighting his disruptive influence throughout the match. Over the course of the season, he accumulated 38 tackles, 3 sacks, and 12 quarterback hits in just 12 games.
O’Connell expressed pride in Greenard’s efforts, affirming, “I’m just so proud of him. I know he’ll get it fixed and be ready to rock and roll.” With Greenard sidelined, young edge rusher Dallas Turner is expected to step up and seize more opportunities, which could be vital for his development as an emerging player in the league.
The Vikings are now faced with the challenge of filling the void left by Greenard as they continue to navigate the remainder of the season without one of their key defensive players.
