Hughes placed on IR, Vikings to be hurting at CB against Packers
The Minnesota Vikings could be without three of their top four cornerbacks — Cameron Dantzler, Holton Hill and Mike Hughes — on Sunday at Green Bay.
Hughes was officially placed on injured reserve on Friday. Due to 2020 rules, he will have to sit out at least three games while on IR. Hughes missed two contests earlier this season and was reinjured on Oct. 18 against Atlanta.
Hill (foot) was ruled out on Friday with injuries for the game against the Packers, who are second in the NFL in scoring with an average of 32.8 points per game. Hill did not practice all week and will miss his third straight game.
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Dantzler was placed on COVID-19 reserve on Wednesday. Coach Mike Zimmer left open the possibility of him suiting up in Green Bay, but he would need to clear the league’s return-to-play testing protocols in time. Otherwise, rookie Jeff Gladney would be the only regular cornerback available for the Vikings, not a good prospect against Aaron Rodgers. Kris Boyd, who was limited in practice this week with hamstring and back injuries, is next on the inexperienced depth chart, followed by Harrison Hand and Mark Fields.
Minnesota also placed linebacker Todd Davis on the COVID-19 reserve on Friday.
The Vikings listed running back Dalvin Cook as questionable, though Zimmer said before Cook’s status was designated that he anticipated a standard workload. Cook hurt his groin on Oct. 11 at Seattle and was sidelined for the next game. He was limited in practice this week.
The Packers won’t have their leading rusher, Aaron Jones. He was ruled out on Friday with a calf injury that kept him out of the previous game. That leaves Jamal Williams and A.J. Dillon as the top two running backs against the Vikings. Cornerback Kevin King will also miss the game.
