According to a report by NFL Network’s Tom Pellissero, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter will not be ready to come off injured reserve when he is eligible next week.
#Vikings star DE Danielle Hunter is regaining strength and getting closer to returning from what sources say is a herniated disc in his neck, though he’s unlikely to be ready to play when he’s eligible to come off IR next week. Optimism still high that he’s back this season.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 27, 2020
Hunter has been out for the Vikings since training camp from what head coach Mike Zimmer initially called a “tweak.” The injury became more serious as camp progressed and Hunter was placed on injured reserve prior to the Week 1 matchup with the Packers.
Injured reserve rules for 2020 make the designation not as daunting as it has been in the past, but Hunter’s situation is still murky. Players are eligible to come off the list after three weeks, but according to Pelissero, he’s dealing with a herniated disc in his neck.
While Pelissero mentions he will not be ready to come off injured reserve when the Vikings travel to the Houston Texans in Week 4, the Vikings do expect him to return sometime this season.
For the Vikings, that the sooner that return comes, the better. Minnesota’s defensive line has struggled without Hunter, struggling to generate pressure on the quarterback and allowing 4.3 yards per carry on the ground.
With the Vikings already in an 0-2 hole, they’ll have to hope they can get back to .500 over the next two weeks so a return for Hunter matters in 2020.
