In an unforeseen development just two days before a playoff game in New Orleans, the Minnesota Vikings are in trouble at the cornerback position.
After practicing in full on Wednesday and in limited fashion on Thursday (neck), Hughes was ruled out for Sunday’s game and placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Mackensie Alexander (knee) was also ruled out after missing all three practices this week.
That leaves the Vikings short two of their top four corners and without a clear option to play in the nickel against New Orleans’ dominant passing attack. Standout Saints receiver Michael Thomas leads the NFL in yards per route run out of the slot.
Xavier Rhodes on #Vikings DBs: “Build the confidence, not only with me, but with the secondary so we can play free, play hard and play fast and not think too much. Coaches have been on us, but they can only do and say so much. When we get between those lines, it’s up to us.”
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) January 3, 2020
Longtime Vikings punt returner and cornerback Marcus Sherels re-signed with the team on Friday to take Hughes’ place on special teams, his second stint with the Vikings this season after spending 2010-18 with the club.
“We’ll find a way,” Zimmer said Friday of the depleted cornerback group.
The timing of Hughes’ injury is up for debate after Zimmer gave curt answers in Friday’s press conference. When asked if Hughes injured his neck at practice Thursday, Zimmer said no. But when later asked how Hughes was injured, he responded, “Playing football.”
Though he was a full participant Wednesday, Hughes was listed as having a neck injury on Wednesday’s injury report, meaning his condition existed before Thursday. This lends some credence to Zimmer’s denial that Hughes was injured Thursday.
Losing Hughes removes a key piece from the Vikings’ recently-established cornerback rotation, which seemed to have bolstered the team’s pass defense in recent weeks. Hughes played 53 snaps in the Vikings’ last meaningful game in Week 16 versus the Green Bay Packers when Aaron Rodgers was held to a 68.3 passer rating. He then played 28 snaps last Sunday against the Bears in a game where Minnesota otherwise played a majority of its backups.
It’s possible both Hughes and Alexander worsened their injury situations by playing Sunday. Alexander, the fourth-year nickel corner, had been a valued member of the secondary, playing 40 or more snaps in six straight games heading into Week 17. He entered the Bears game questionable with a knee injury but proceeded to play 50 snaps against Chicago. Zimmer declined to comment whether Alexander aggravated his injury against the Bears.
Jayron Kearse has the most experience playing in the nickel after adopting the “big nickel” role in 2018 and reprising it periodically this season.
Holton Hill and Kris Boyd offer additional corner depth, but their comfort level in the nickel is unclear. Sherels is unlikely to play much on defense but should fit in naturally as a punt returner.
“Everything’s kind of come full circle,” he said. “I’m back here, and I’m ready to help the team out.”
