Getty Third-year cornerback Mike Hughes was active at practice on Wednesday after missing two weeks with a neck injury.
A young Vikings secondary was missing two starters from last week’s loss to the Titans in rookie Cameron Dantzler and 2017 first-rounder Mike Hughes.
Hughes, the elder statesman of the cornerback room, is likely dealing with a flare-up of a neck injury that landed him on the injured reserve list after the final game of the regular season in 2019. Hughes did not practice on Friday and was ruled out for a second-straight week, Chris Tomasson reported.
Dantzler, who has had a lingering rib injury, will return to the field for the first time since Week 1. He was the Vikings top-graded corner in a disappointing season-opener for the unit.
Kris Boyd, a 2019 seventh-round pick, made his first career start against the Titans in relief of Dantzler and Hughes last week. He is listed as doubtful for the Texans game on Sunday.
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Unique Lineup Set For Sunday
With Dantzler active for the first time since Week 1, he’ll likely return to the starting spot on the outside along with Holton Hill. Rookie Jeff Gladney will likely make his second start in the slot this week after Hughes was ruled out. It will be the first time the two rookies will start a game together as both were taken in the early rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Dantzler, drafted in the third round, was a training camp star and emerged as the only rookie starter out of the Vikings’ 15-man draft class. Gladney, drafted in the first round at No. 31 overall, has been eased into a contributing role after having meniscus surgery this offseason.
Their play together could be a glimpse into how the Vikings secondary could look for years to come.
Hughes’ Injury Could Be Serious
GettyMike Hughes’ time with the Vikings is winding down.
The Vikings haven’t spoken on the severity of Hughes’ neck injury, but it could be detrimental to his future playing career. He was set for a breakout season after battling injuries throughout his career, but his neck injury could be a result of the fractured neck vertebrae he suffered back in January, per the Star Tribune.
Hughes has already come back from the injury and played this season, but the Vikings are proceeding with caution as fractured neck vertebrae have been career-enders for several players like Michael Irvin, Sterling Sharpe and Rich Gannon, Vikings 61 found.
Hughes is under contract through the 2021 season and has a fifth-year option as a first-round pick. His body of work doesn’t warrant much reason for the Vikings to sign him to a second contract. If he doesn’t contribute much this season, Next year could be Hughes’ last with the Vikings.
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Trevor Squire is a Heavy contributor covering the Minnesota Vikings and journalism graduate from the University of Minnesota — Twin Cities. Connect with him on Twitter @trevordsquire and join our Vikings community at Heavy on Vikings on Facebook.
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Vikings CB Injury Updates: 1 Starter Ruled Out, Another Returns