Vikings EDGE Dallas Turner given news he didn't want to hear after controversial play in Week 8 vs. Chargers
Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner hasn't been the most consistent during his second season. The 17th overall pick has been heavily criticized for his lack of production to start his career, especially since the Vikings gave up three draft picks to move up from 23 to 17 to select him.
His game against the Los Angeles Chargers started out with a bang, and not in a good way. He was charged with an unnecessary roughness penalty for launching himself at quarterback Justin Herbert, and he was fined $19,907 by the NFL on Saturday for the hit.
Dallas Turner Facts
- The Minnesota Vikings selected Dallas Turner at 17th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Despite his high draft status, Turner played just 310 snaps in his rookie season due to Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard playing All-Pro caliber football.
- This season, Turner has already played 324 snaps, with 18 pressures and 2.0 sacks.
Dallas Turner fined for hit on Chargers QB Justin Herbert
You can see why Turner was fined for the hit. He didn't just hit Herbert in the head; he launched his entire body headfirst into him. That isn't just a penalty, it's very dangerous for both players. This kind of play is completely inexcusable.
Turner has had eight penalties in his career, and this was his third personal foul. He got flagged for taunting last season and unnecessary roughness against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of that game. Turner hasn't been a dirty player throughout his career, so this feels somewhat like a one-off.
Even so, this was more than worthy of a fine. This is the third fine of the season for the Vikings.
- CB Byron Murphy Jr.: Week 5 vs. Cleveland Browns, $17,389 for a horse collar tackle
- ILB Ivan Pace Jr.: Week 7 vs. Philadelphia Eagles, $5,759 for unnecessary roughness: use of the helmet
If Turner so chooses, he can appeal the fine this week, with his appeal likely being heard on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Patrick Graham Discusses Key Focus for Raiders Coaching Staff for Remainder of 2025 Season
Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders, has shared his insights on the most important focus for the coaching staff in the
“The biggest thing for us right now is consistency,” Graham said in a recent interview. “We’ve had flashes of greatness, but we need to find a way to put it all together and stay consistent week in and week out. That’s the key for us moving forward. Whether it’s on defense, offense, or special teams, we need to execute and stay disciplined.”
Graham acknowledged that the Raiders have struggled with consistency at times this season, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. While the team has shown flashes of elite-level play, they’ve also been prone to breakdowns and missed opportunities. Graham’s goal for the rest of the season is to tighten up the defense and make sure his unit remains disciplined and focused in critical moments.
“Defensively, we’ve got to be better at finishing games,” Graham continued. “We’ve had too many instances where we’ve let up big plays or failed to execute in the clutch. That’s something we’ve been working hard to improve, and it’s something we’ll continue to focus on in practice. The defense has to be more consistent, especially in the second half of the season.”
Beyond just the defense, Graham pointed out that the entire coaching staff must work in unison to make sure the team stays on track and performs at a high level across all phases. “It’s about all of us working together,” Graham said. “We’re not just coaching one unit; we’re coaching the whole team. Everyone needs to be on the same page, from the offense to the defense to special teams. If we can stay cohesive and continue to improve, I have no doubt we’ll be in a good position.”
As the Raiders push towards their goals for the remainder of the season, Graham's message is clear: execution, consistency, and discipline will be the team’s pillars for success. With a young, talented roster and a determined coaching staff, the Raiders will look to close out the year strong and make a playoff push.
