The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the final stretch of their 2025 season without one of their key defensive playmakers. Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Monday that edge rusher Jonathan Greenard will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, officially shutting him down for the last three games of the year.
Greenard re-injured the shoulder during Sunday night’s 34-26 win over the Cowboys, a game that saw the Vikings defense come up big in key moments. The injury occurred late in the contest as Greenard attempted to bring down Dak Prescott. He exited immediately and was ruled out after heading straight to the locker room.
This is the same shoulder that had already sidelined Greenard earlier in the season, and the decision to opt for surgery now suggests the team is prioritizing his long-term health over a short-term push. It’s a tough break for a player who, just a year ago, was coming off a Pro Bowl season and even garnered some Defensive Player of the Year consideration.
While 2025 hasn’t matched the highs of his breakout 2024 campaign, Greenard remained a disruptive presence off the edge. He finishes the year with three sacks and a dozen quarterback hits-not eye-popping numbers, but still impactful in Brian Flores’ aggressive scheme.
And for those watching closely, he was constantly around the quarterback. The stat sheet may not reflect it, but Greenard’s pressure rate and near-misses-unofficially hovering around 47 almost-sacks-tell the story of a defender who was still causing problems, even if the finishes weren’t always there.
With Greenard now out, the Vikings will look to rookie standout Dallas Turner to take on a full-time starting role opposite Andrew Van Ginkel. Turner’s been flashing all season in rotational snaps, and now he gets a chance to show what he can do with starter-level reps. His speed and motor fit well in Flores’ system, and this could be a real opportunity for him to establish himself heading into 2026.
The injury also opens the door for younger depth pieces like Bo Richter and Tyler Batty. Both have had limited roles so far, but with more snaps up for grabs, this is their shot to make a case for bigger roles next season. The Vikings have been steadily building a young, fast, aggressive defense, and these next three games could be a proving ground for the next wave of contributors.
As for Greenard, the hope is that the surgery goes smoothly and he’s able to return in time for offseason work. When healthy, he’s a tone-setter on that defensive front, and the Vikings will be counting on him to bounce back strong in 2026.