Questions Answered: Vikings Injury Report, Getting Danielle Hunter Right, Khyiris Tonga
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the October 6th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: Doesn’t it feel too good to be true that the Vikings have a clean injury report?
A: Yes.
Losing Lewis Cine was brutal for him, the team, and everyone. And Thomas Hennigan, Bisi Johnson, and Kenny Willekes are on Injury Reserve (mentioned for reference). Andrew Booth and Za’Darius Smith were limited at practice on Wednesday but should play Sunday.
Aside from that, yes — this is an incredible span of luck (or good training staff) through four games. The Cine injury negates many pristine vibes, but such is life.
**After publication edit: Moments after this article went live, Cameron Dantzler (CB), Ben Ellefson (TE), and Jalen Nailor (WR) were listed as ‘limited’ at Thursday’s practice.
Q: Will it merely take time for Danielle Hunter to get up to speed in a 3-4 defense or what?
A: Evidently.
Vikings defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said about Hunter on Thursday, “Every guy that has ever made this transition, his first month looks a lot like that. There’s a getting used to this role. It’s very, very normal.”
If that is to be believed, the monster version of Hunter should theoretically unleash this weekend.
Q: Is the new guy, Khyiris Tonga, actually going to play in regular season games right away?
A: No, probably not.
He’s not listed on the Vikings depth chart, but that could be a “late to the party” oversight for the Vikings digital media team. So, for now, he seems to be on the active roster. No news had indicated a practice squad assignment.
We don’t believe he’ll play this weekend. All the power to him if he does. Overall, as a 2021 rookie, he has time to grow and develop with the Vikings. And it’s about time the Vikings plucked a former Bears player — Chicago has nine former Vikings on its roster.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).