Vikings' Hunter placed on IR, will miss at least 3 games

The Minnesota Vikings placed star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter on injured reserve Wednesday. The decision means Hunter will miss at least the first three weeks of the season and be eligible to return Week 4 versus the Houston Texans.

#Vikings DE Danielle Hunter has been placed on IR and practice squad K Chase McLaughlin has been protected. pic.twitter.com/eNmJUAT2PP

- Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 9, 2020

Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer referred to Hunter's injury as only a "tweak" in August, but it has kept him out of practice for the better part of a month.

The tweak is related to a neck ailment, a source told ESPN's Courtney Cronin.

Hunter's injury could explain what necessitated Minnesota's trade for Yannick Ngakoue. The Vikings dealt a 2021 second-round pick and a conditional 2022 fifth-rounder to the Jacksonville Jaguars last month for Ngakoue.

Hunter led Minnesota with 14.5 sacks last season. It was the second year in a row the two-time Pro Bowler has hit that mark.

Ngakoue recorded eight sacks in 15 games last season.

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