Danielle Hunter Further from Returning than We Thought

Josh Frey |

Sep 28, 2020

The Vikings are now 0-3 for the first time since 2013, and they sit in the basement of the NFC North. After giving themselves a great opportunity to win in week three, the defense could not get the job done. The Vikings went up 24-12 in the third, and they promptly gave up scores on the next four Tennessee drives.

As if watching the game wasn’t bad enough, we also got news yesterday that Danielle Hunter is probably not ready to play. For a defense that is badly missing both him and Pro-Bowler, Anthony Barr, this is a big blow to a team that is due to head to Houston this week to face Deshaun Watson and the Texans.

#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

Per Tom Pelissero, while Hunter is regaining strength in his neck, it is unlikely he is able to play in Houston. This means we will have to wait to see him until at least the matchup with Seattle, where they will absolutely need help from the pass rush.

Looking forward to week four, the defense will need to close the game much better than they did in week three. In a battle with the fellow 0-3 Texans, it is absolutely a must win game for both teams. Since the AFL/NFL merger, only the 1992 Chargers have made the playoffs after starting 0-4.