Jonathan Greenard’s season is over, but his injury creates an extended audition for Dallas Turner, whose play over the final three weeks could reshape the Vikings’ EDGE future.
Minnesota Vikings EDGE rusher Jonathan Greenard won't be playing in the final three games of the season. Kevin O'Connell announced on Monday that Greenard re-aggravated a shoulder injury in Sunday night's win against the Dallas Cowboys. Greenard initially sustained the injury in Week 10's loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
It's an unfortunate ending to a disappointing season for Greenard. After generating 12 sacks in his first season with the Vikings, Greenard only registered three sacks in 12 games this season.
But even his sack number is deceiving, as Greenard generated consistent pressure this season. According to Next Gen Stats, he led the team with 41 pressures. More frustrating was the number of times that he had quarterbacks in his grasp, only for them to shake free.
Greenard saved maybe his best game of the season for Sunday's win against the Cowboys. PFF gave him a team-high 90.5 grade after he generated two half-sacks and seven pressures, which tied his season high. He received a game ball from O'Connell following the game.
The injury will mean an expanded role for second-year EDGE rusher Dallas Turner, whom the Vikings traded up to select with the 17th pick in the 2024 draft. Turner had a quiet rookie season while playing behind Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, who combined for 23.5 sacks in 2025.
But with both Greenard and Van Ginkel missing time with injuries this season, Turner has played 582 of 899 possible defensive snaps. Turner has flashed more this year, racking up 5.5 sacks, including four that came from Weeks 11-13.
If Turner can prove that he belongs in the starting lineup full-time, the Vikings may have a decision to make with Greenard. Although they signed him to a four-year, $76 million deal in March 2024, Greenard has a potential out after this season. He has $4 million in guarantees if he is on the Vikings' roster on the third day of the new league year in March 2026.
Van Ginkel isn't getting any younger, either. He will be 31 when the 2026 season begins, and he, too, has struggled with injuries this season. He missed five games with a neck injury that plagued him throughout training camp. He signed a one-year, $23 million extension before this year, but he will be a free agent after the 2026 season.
That means that Turner will join J.J. McCarthy as the primary focus of the Vikings' final three games this season. The Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday, meaning that the development of their two first-round draft picks from 2024, as well as other young players, matters more than wins and losses over the final three weeks.
Perhaps no single player encapsulated the 2025 Vikings quite like Greenard. He was disruptive but always felt a step late from ever making game-changing impacts.
Now, Greenard's season is over, opening the door for Turner. Although the results of the games won't matter as far as the postseason goes, Turner has an opportunity to show he can be counted on when the 2026 season arrives. If he can show he can be trusted, Greenard may have played his final snap with the Vikings.