The Minnesota Vikings are fresh off a big border battle victory heading to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 28-22 whilst Detroit are coming off a 41-21 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts. Though Minnesota came out victorious last Sunday they lost pieces on defense. An already depleted secondary has been weakened further by injuries to key corners ahead of Sunday’s clash. So, who comes in at corner for the Minnesota Vikings against Detroit?
The Minnesota Vikings Cornerback Problem This Week
Who Are the Vikings Without?
The biggest worry from Sunday was the injury suffered by Cameron Dantzler. The third round draft pick from Mississippi state picked up a concussion in a clash with Anthony Harris against Green Bay. As a result, the mainstay corner will have to go through protocol before taking the field again for Minnesota. Dantzler has had a turbulent but active year as a rookie and will be a big miss in the Vikings secondary.
Again, Minnesota will be without third year corner Mike Hughes. The 2018 first round pick has had a recurring neck injury during the 2020 season limiting him to just four games. Alongside Hughes, Holton Hill will be missing for Sunday’s game with a foot injury. Hill hasn’t made an appearance since Minnesota’s victory over Houston in week four. Mark Fields II has also been declared out for the game against the Lions on Sunday. Fields has been in and out of the Vikings roster spending some of the 2020 season on the practice squad.
The only doubt before Sunday’s game is Harrison Hand. The rookie out of Temple has been listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with a hamstring problem. Hand has appeared in five of Minnesota’s games this season with seven solo tackles and one pass defended.
Who Starts on Sunday?
A consolation for Vikings fans is that rookie Jeff Gladney is still available against Detroit. A first-round pick in 2020, Gladney is yet to miss a game for Minnesota. Since being drafted, Gladney has showed glimpses of the first round talent Minnesota hoped they’d find. 31 solo tackles through seven games and a forced fumble against the Atlanta Falcons shows how important Gladney could be on Sunday.
Besides Gladney, Minnesota will have to look down the depth chart against Detroit. Kris Boyd becomes an obvious option as the second year corner has already played four games in 2020. After playing 16 games in 2019 the former seventh round pick could be a player Zimmer relies on in Week 9. Additionally, the Vikings have other options in both Chris Jones and recently acquired Dylan Mabin. Firstly, Jones who joined the Vikings roster after being waived by Detroit in October. His third year in the NFL, Jones has been part of both the Lions and Arizona Cardinals before joining the Vikes. Alternatively, Mabin joined the Vikings this week after being poached from the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad.
Entering Sunday’s game Minnesota are weakened on defense. Though, the secondary still have standout safety duo of Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith to help out the young corners. Whilst, rookie Josh Metellus may help as a makeshift slot corner if injuries worsen come gameday.
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