The veteran guard will make his team debut in Week 9 and could force his way back into the starting lineup after starting 11 games in 15 appearances for the Vikings a season ago.

Like T.J. Hockenson (knee, injured reserve), Risner was ruled out earlier Thursday. The hope is that he is ready for Week 9. Joining Risner and Hockenson on the shelf are QB Brett Rypien, CB Akayleb Evans, CB Dwight McGlothern, RB Myles Gaskin, DL Levi Drake Rodriguez, LB Blake Cashman and OT Walter Rouse.

We don’t know the specifics of Risner’s injury, but the veteran guard will now miss at least the first four games of the season while working his way back to the gridiron. There was some speculation that the Vikings would cut Risner after he missed much of the offseason, but they will instead give him time to work his way back to the field. Risner played on 745 offensive snaps for the Vikings last season, earning a PFF blocking grade of 57.1. He was brought back on a one-year deal after his strong first season with the team.