As the Minnesota Vikings prepare for the final three games of the 2025 season, they will be without one of their top players on defense.
During a press conference on Monday, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced edgebacker Jonathan Greenard will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, meaning he will miss the final three games of Brian Flores’ defense.
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Greenard, who already missed one game earlier this season with a shoulder issue, aggravated the injury last night while trying to take down Dak Prescott during the Vikings’ 34-26 win over the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. He left the game and headed straight to the locker room.
Greenard was selected to the Pro Bowl during the 2024 season and even received some votes for Defensive Player of the Year, but his performance was a bit sluggish last season, when he had three quarterback sacks and 12 quarterback hits. According to my unofficial numbers, he has about 47 near-sacks, which isn’t an actual statistical category, but maybe it should be.
With Greenard out for the final three games, Dallas Turner will have a chance to step into the defense’s full-time starting spot opposite Andrew Van Ginkel. It could also provide more opportunities for young players like Bo Richter and Tyler Batty, who will be looking to play bigger roles on the team in 2026.
Hopefully Jonathan Greenard recovers well from surgery and is ready to join the offseason program so that he can be at full speed for the Purple next season.