Vikings place star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter on IR

The Minnesota Vikings will be without defensive end Danielle Hunter when they begin the 2020 season.

Hunter was placed on injured reserve Wednesday. According to this year’s rules, Hunter will have to be on injured reserve for at least three games before he can be activated. There is no limit this season as to how many players can be activated from IR.

Hunter’s absence will have a big impact on the Vikings defense, a unit which finished 15th against the pass last year.

The Vikings’ defensive line went through big changes in the offseason. After Linval Joseph was released, Minnesota signed Michael Pierce to take over at tackle before he opted out of the 2020 season. Later, the Vikings traded for Yannick Ngakoue to line up opposite of Hunter at defensive end.

Ifeadi Odenigbo will likely take the place of Hunter as the other starter at end.

In 78 career games, Hunter has logged 276 tackles (67 for loss), 54.5 sacks and 80 quarterback hits. With a sack of Detroit quarterback David Blough in Week 13 last season, Hunter – at age 25 — became the youngest NFL player to ever reach 50 sacks. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2018 and 2019.

Minnesota begins its 2020 campaign Sunday against the rival Green Bay Packers at 12 p.m.