Rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner is “going to be an absolute monster” for the Vikings, coach Kevin O’Connell said after Turner played just four defensive snaps during Sunday’s loss to the Lions.
O’Connell noted the complexities of coordinator Brian Flores’ playbook and Turner’s inexperience relative to veteran edge rushers Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Patrick Jones II and Jihad Ward.
“He’s working through it,” O’Connell said. “He’s a young player in a defense where the roles and responsibilities sometimes in-game can adjust based upon what we’re seeing. … We’ve got a really deep outside linebacker room. … I think he’s an incredible fit in our defense, not only in the present but in the future as well. He’s going to be an absolute monster for us.”
Turner, for whom the Vikings traded up to draft 17th overall out of Alabama, said Tuesday that he’s remaining patient while playing mostly on special teams. His defensive role has steadily declined each week, interrupted by a one-game absence because of a knee sprain. Turner played 36 defensive snaps in the Week 1 victory at the New York Giants. He’s seen just 46 defensive snaps over four appearances since.
There have been bright spots. Turner had a sack in the season opener. His speed flashed during a fourth-down stop when he corralled Jets running back Braelon Allen in the Oct. 6 victory in London. On special teams, coaches picked him as athletic enough to leap over the long snapper in an attempt to block the Lions’ game-winning field goal.
But Turner is the fifth edge rusher in the pecking order. Defensive coaches moved Turner off the line, giving him a few snaps at inside linebacker against the Lions while rotating through options to replace injured linebacker Blake Cashman.
“You gotta have patience in the league when you have dudes like that in front of you,” said Turner, who has played 82 defensive snaps and 81 special teams snaps, “You just have to soak up all the knowledge that they give you. … Just getting myself better every day. Not taking nothing for waste, still taking advantage of the opportunities. Making sure as a player, physically and mentally, that I’m still growing.”
Cashman appears likely to miss another start Thursday night against the Rams because of turf toe. He remained sidelined during Tuesday afternoon’s practice after sitting out Sunday’s loss to the Lions.