Danielle Hunter is done for the season. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer confirmed that the veteran defensive end suffered a torn pectoral muscle and will miss the rest of the season (via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Twitter).
Hunter suffered the injury during the second quarter of last night’s loss to the Cowboys. The 27-year-old had an MRI this morning that confirmed the season-ending tear.
After missing the entire 2020 season due to a neck injury, the two-time Pro Bowler seemed to be back to his pass-rushing ways in 2021. Through the first seven games, Hunter had collected six sacks, six tackles for loss, and 10 QB hits. The former third-round pick had previously established himself as one of the best defensive ends in the NFL, averaging more than 12 sacks per season between 2016 and 2019.
Hunter skipped Vikings OTAs this past year because of his contract, but the team ultimately appeased their top sack artist, converting $5.6MM of $12.2MM 2021 base salary into a signing bonus while bumping his 2022 earnings by around $8MM. It was speculated that Hunter’s expected $20MM base salary for 2022 was going to be a placeholder while the two sides hammered out a long-term deal. A second-straight season-ending injury will certainly complicate those negotiations. Hunter’s five-year, $72MM extension runs through 2023.
This is tough timing for a Vikings squad that dealt defensive end Stephen Weatherly to the Broncos during their recent bye week. Everson Griffen and D.J. Wonnum had swapped starts opposite Hunter, and the duo will presumably take over the lion’s share of the reps at defensive end going forward.
If I’m the Vikings front office (and I’m not…), I trade anyone and everyone that I can. Aging team, against the salary cap, time to rebuild.
I agree, if losing last night to the Cowboys backup QB wasn’t enough of a sign this team isn’t going anywhere then Hunter being out for the year should be enough. This team is just good enough to lose competitively and that’s the worst position to be in.
They’re one game out of a wildcard spot thanks to the playoff expansion.
Even IF they make they playoffs, they ain’t going anywhere. Zimmer lost this team 2-3 years ago. In my opinion (my opinion only), Major League Coaches/Managers have a shelf life with one team of 5-7, then players begin to tune them out. Also Zimmer’s nepotism of hiring former head coaches and their offspring, just doesn’t bode well – “too many cooks in the kitchen”
It would have been awesome if the D QB asked Cousins ‘How do you like that?’ when they met at mid field!
Start the firesale.