In August, the Vikings classified Danielle Hunter‘s neck injury as a tweak. Today, they learned that the defensive end will require season-ending surgery (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). 
[RELATED: Vikings Trade Ngakoue To Ravens]
The news comes on the heels of the Vikings’ big trade, which sent Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens in exchange for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional fifth-round pick. Now, the 1-5 Vikings are moving ahead without their two top pass rushers.
Hunter traveled to New York for a second opinion on his cervical spine disc herniation recently. During the visit, the specialist recommended that Hunter shut it down for the season. The Vikings have been unable to generate consistent pressure without the sixth-year defensive end, and things won’t get any better without Ngakoue in the mix.
Last year, Hunter graded out as the No. 7 ranked edge rusher in the league, ahead of Cameron Jordan, Myles Garrett, Demarcus Lawrence, and a host of other big names. He’s notched 14.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons, bringing his career tally to 54.5. He’ll be tied to the team for years to come, thanks to the five-year, $72MM extension he inked in 2018.
No sense risking injury , plus will help tank for the draft.