According to the Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, stat pass rusher Danielle Hunter underwent successful surgery on Wednesday to repair a herniated disc in his neck.
However, Hunter is done for the season, although the team does expect him to be ready to go in time for next year’s training camp. Hunter has been the shining star of the Vikings defense over the past two years, recording 14.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons.
Hunter, a third-round pick in 2015, is still only 25 years old. In five seasons with the Vikings, he has tallied 54.5 sacks. He has become a very important piece on the Vikings defense, which went through an overhaul in the offseason.
The team let a significant group of veteran stars walk during free agency this year, including pass rusher Everson Griffen, defensive tackle Lindval Joseph, and defensive back Xavier Rhodes.
The Vikings did make a trade to get star pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue from the Jacksonville Jaguars but recently traded him away as well to the Baltimore Ravens.
As a result, the once-dominant Vikings defense has looked below average this year both in stopping the running and defending against the passing game of their opponents.
