Danielle Hunter’s injury, once described by Vikings coach Mike Zimmer as a “little tweak,” ended up putting him on IR.
Now, Hunter’s trainer reportedly recommends that the Minnesota defensive end should sit out the remainder of the 2020 season.
As reported by Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, James Cooper, Hunter’s trainer, said that Hunter wants to be on the field, but when you do that, that can turn scary, too.
“Obviously, it could get worse because you’re talking about your spine. I mean, he’s not going to end up in a wheelchair or anything, but, yes, it can turn really, really bad in his position,” Cooper told Tomasson. “There’s a lot of clubbing and a lot (of) trench stuff (at defensive end), and you’re falling, too.”
At 25, Hunter became the youngest player to reach 50 career sacks. He has tallied 14.5 sacks in both of the last two seasons.
In his place is Yannick Ngakoue, Ifeadi Odenigbo and Jalyn Holmes, mostly. If Hunter does end up sitting out, those three might have to suffice for this season.