Jonathan

Greenard

Greenard will be a candidate for an offseason extension/restructure with a $22.3 million cap hit and the Vikings entering the offseason over the cap. Greenard finishes his age-28 season with just three sacks after back-to-back seasons of 12.5 and 12 in 2023 and 2024, but the Vikings simply didn’t force as many pass-rush situations in 2025 as the defense struggled to contain the run. He was trying to play through his shoulder injury, but with the Vikings officially out of the playoff picture, Greenard can recuperate ahead of the 2026 season.

Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw remains a game-time decision. Greenard has missed the past two weeks with the shoulder issue. He was listed as questionable for Week 13 after getting in three limited practices. The veteran defender has two sacks and 19 total tackles this year.

He practiced all week, unlike the leadup to Week 12, so perhaps there’s a chance Greenard goes after missing each of the last two games with the shoulder injury. Josh Metellus (knee/shoulder), Theo Jackson (neck) and Jalen Redmond (hip) are also questionable for the Vikings defense.

The Tom Pelissero report comes to pass. The only other Vikings player on the questionable line was C Ryan Kelly, who was activated off injured reserve and will go. Also inactive for the Vikings are: LB Austin Keys, OL Joe Huber, OL Walter Rouse, TE Ben Yurosek and DE Elijah Williams.

Per Pelissero, this comes directly from Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell himself. Greenard missed Week 11 but returned to practice earlier this week. He was ultimately listed as questionable on Friday. It sounds like he is close to a return, meaning the Vikings could have their Pro Bowl EDGE back for Week 13 versus the Seahawks. Greenard has two sacks this year.

We haven’t seen his practice status yet but we’re guessing it’s going to be another limited session. Greenard missed last week’s game with this knee injury suffered in Week 10, but returned to practice yesterday. We’d be surprised if he didn’t play considering that Minnesota needs a win badly to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Packers in Week 12.

It’s the first session Greenard has participated in since injuring his knee in Week 10’s loss to the Ravens, tracking with Ian Rapoport’s reporting that he’d possibly miss only one game. Greenard will likely be joined on the questionable line ahead of Week 12 by G Will Fries (knee), who returned to a limited practice on Thursday as well.

Greenard exited Sunday’s game against the Ravens and did not return to the game. His injury didn’t appear too serious when it first happened, and according to Rapoport, it “is believed to be a minor injury that may just cost him a week.” Greenard has totaled 18 tackles and two sacks for the Vikings, who play the Bears in Week 11.

Greenard exited in the third quarter and could be seen favoring his shoulder while making his way to the medical tent. The veteran pass rusher was ruled out shortly after exiting, leaving the Vikings defense short in a game they trailed 19-10 at the time of his injury. Greenard has totaled 18 tackles and two sacks for the Vikings this season.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the deal includes $42 million guaranteed. Greenard was one of the top edge rushers available in a depleted market, but his guarantee is fairly modest for a player coming off a 12.5-sack season. That’s because consistency has never really been Greenard’s thing while injuries have been an issue, including limiting him to eight appearances in 2022. Greenard is also a situational pass rusher, with his 634 snaps last season a new career high. It’s a bit of a risk for the Vikings, but they will take it with Greenard still only 27 in May. This should mean Danielle Hunter is gone in Minnesota.