Mike Hughes‘ 2020 season ended with him being placed on the injured reserve with a neck injury. We now have more details, as Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports that the Vikings cornerback suffered a broken vertebra in his neck.
Fortunately, it sounds like the 23-year-old will return to full health, as head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters that Hughes is “going to be fine.” Further, Zimmer hinted that the 2018 first-rounder (along with Holton Hill and Kris Boyd) could lead the team’s cornerbacks corps in 2020.
“Hughes and Hill and Boyd, they have the ability to do it,” Zimmer said. “Like, during the season I gave them an assignment that I wanted them to do every single day and they did it. That tells me that they want to do it. I think that’s half the battle.”
Minnesota may have to rely on these youngsters next season. As Goessling notes, cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander (along with safety Anthony Harris) are set to hit free agency. Further, cornerback Xavier Rhodes could find himself as a cap casualty.
Hughes was limited to only six games as a rookie thanks to a torn ACL, but he returned to appear in 14 games (three starts) in 2019. During his sophomore campaign, the defensive back compiled 45 tackles, nine passes defended, one interception, and two forced fumbles.
Head coach gives players in assignment to do every day and they did it and that tells him they want to do it. As a former football player who played in high school as well as college and even a little semi pro I can tell you if your head coach gives you an assignment and you do not complete it odds are you will end up eventually getting kicked off the team.
They wanted to do it and showed the COULD do it. He didn’t say they semi-did it. He wasn’t giving the guys a full evaluation and he, and staff, have developed some outstanding defensive players. Obviously, lower picks make progress it in the real pros because they get the work done to the standards of experienced NFL coaches.
MIKE ZIMMER:
Now the de-construction begins.
Turns out that Cousins WAS NOT the missing ingredient.
As you watch your secondary evaporate,
Look ahead to next year when Cook and Cousins go.
Better address BOTH of those openings in the 2020 draft.
Competently wrong on Cousins Mr Positive. And Cook is good until 2021 and they should tag him if they need to. Long term deals for RB are very risky. Money wise it was time for some rebuild on defense but SECONDARY EVAPORATE? Best safety tandem the league! We’ll see how good the staff is at addressing the CB spots to work with safeties and great linebacker group. D-line younger and better.