The Minnesota Vikings are set to open the season Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. It was only a couple of weeks ago when Yannick Ngakoue was acquired, giving the Vikings a pair of elite pass rushers.
Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that the status of Danielle Hunter is in doubt for the team’s first game of the 2020 season
Hunter finished the 2019 season with 14.5 sacks for his second consecutive season. The loss of a star edge rusher is never easy, but the Ngakoue addition should help make up for the potential loss of Hunter on Sunday.
All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks spoke with the media on Thursday, furthering the concerns of Hunter not being able to play.
“It’s going to be hard to replace a guy like that,” Kendricks said when talking about Hunter. “But we have guys who are hungry and want to step up too.”
Ifeadi Odenigbo was one of the most productive pass rushers for the Vikings last season, finishing the year with seven sacks. He could be one of those players that Kendricks is talking about who’s ready to step up if Hunter misses time.
Sunday marks the first time the Vikings open the season at home against the Packers. Establishing a good pass rush will be critical with the amount of plays Aaron Rodgers has made outside of the pocket in recent years against the Vikings.