Eligible to be activated off the Vikings’ IR list this week, Danielle Hunter does not look to be on the verge of making his 2020 debut. And the injured Pro Bowler’s season could be in jeopardy.
Hunter traveled to New York for a second opinion on his injured neck, according to Mike Zimmer. This visit produced a recommendation Hunter not play this season, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press tweets. The sixth-year defensive end is dealing with cervical spine disc herniation, per ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin (on Twitter).
While the Vikings classified Hunter’s injury as a tweak in August, Cronin adds they were expecting a six- to eight-week hiatus for the talented pass rusher when they placed him on IR in September (Twitter link). The early end of that timetable has not yet arrived, and the Vikings have yet to feature their new-look Hunter-Yannick Ngakoue tandem.
Minnesota is 0-3 and ranks 31st in points allowed. None of Zimmer’s Vikings defenses have finished outside the top 11. While DVOA places the Vikings’ defense 19th through three games, Hunter’s absence — on a defense that is much younger than the past few Minnesota units — has certainly shown up.
Well what a waste of a 2nd round pick for our new DE. He is bound to leave after this year
Yup
No reason to rush back, this team isn’t going anywhere this year.
Maybe the Vikings can turn the season around by celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Love Boat Scandal on Tuesday.