Dallas Turner Relishes Vikings' Preseason Win and Will Reichard’s Game-Winning Kick
Dallas Turner, enjoying his NFL debut with the Minnesota Vikings, finds more joy in the team’s win and Will Reichard’s decisive field goal than his first pro sack. Read about Turner’s performance and his connection with Reichard.
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Dallas Turner was all smiles after his NFL debut, not just because of his first sack, but due to the Minnesota Vikings' thrilling 24-23 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and Will Reichard's clutch game-winning kick.
For Turner, stepping into the NFL spotlight with the Vikings mirrored his senior year at Alabama in some ways—he managed to notch a sack and witnessed Reichard make a crucial field goal. However, the stakes and outcomes were different, bringing a fresh sense of achievement to his new team.
The Vikings' win, their first preseason victory since August 24, 2019, was a long-awaited change. Prior to this game, Minnesota had faced a 10-game preseason losing streak. Turner was excited to be part of ending that drought. “It was a great win,” Turner expressed. “Being involved in snapping a long losing streak and seeing my teammates happy made it a special moment.”
The game was nearly marked by another preseason loss, but Reichard, who also played alongside Turner at Alabama, secured the victory with a 38-yard field goal as time expired. “Seeing Will Reichard make that game-winning kick was like old times for me,” Turner said. “It was familiar and comforting to see him perform so well.”
Turner, who had a standout season at Alabama with 10 sacks in 2023, was thrilled to record his first professional sack against the Raiders. He brought down Las Vegas quarterback Aidan O’Connell for a significant loss on a crucial play. Despite the personal milestone, Turner valued the overall team success more.
In addition to his sack, Turner also contributed with another quarterback hit, finding the NFL transition smoother than anticipated. “Practicing against elite offensive tackles like Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill has been a huge advantage,” Turner noted. “It’s been great preparation for the game, helping me build the right habits and consistency.”
Looking ahead, Turner is focused on improving with each game. The Vikings will continue their preseason journey against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at 3:25 p.m. CDT. “I’m just looking to build on these performances and get better every week,” Turner said.
