Vikings OLB D.J. Wonnum Likely Out For Remainder Of Season

Unfortunately, it looks like the contract year for Vikings outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum has come to an early end. Luckily, Wonnum has done plenty this season to set himself up well for his pending free agency. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, though, Wonnum has suffered a partially torn quadriceps muscle that will likely hold him out of the remainder of the 2023 NFL season.

Wonnum, a fourth-round draft pick for Minnesota in 2020, has seen his role wax and wane over the years of his rookie contract. After a rookie campaign in which Wonnum would come off the bench for most of the year behind Ifeadi Odenigbo, Jalyn Holmes, and Yannick Ngakoue, the South Carolina product would lead the team in sacks (8.0) as a full time starter in his sophomore year across from Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen. Last year saw Wonnum’s role decrease again with the arrival of Za’Darius Smith, who would combine with Hunter for 20.5 sacks, but with Smith out of Minnestoa, Wonnum has retaken his starting place this year, now alongside Hunter.

In the final year of his rookie deal, Wonnum has put up career numbers, setting himself up well for his impending free agency. He has matched his career-high totals for sacks (8.0), tackles for loss (7), and quarterback hits (15), while setting new highs in total tackles (62) and passes defensed (6). Adding to an already impressive season, Wonnum has also freed up Hunter, taking enough focus away from Hunter’s side of the ball to allow the veteran to reach a new career-high sack total himself (15.5).

While the injury is likely bad news that indicates he’s is done putting together his free agent resume, there’s still a bright side to the injury. A partial tear in the muscle should likely keep him out of play for a bit of time, but it’s minor enough that it shouldn’t affect how prospective teams view his free agency in the months to come. Wonnum has proven he can be an effective counterpart for a star pass rusher while providing some quarterback pressure himself, as well. If evidence points to a clean recovery, there should be a number of teams looking to add him to their pass rush.