Vikings say Mike Hughes is ‘ahead of schedule’ with ACL rehab

The first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 had his rookie season cut short by an ACL tear and he is making great progress with his recovery.

About this time last year, the Minnesota Vikings were preparing to make their first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. Many assumed that the Vikings would use the pick to improve their offensive line, but the team opted to go in a totally different direction with the selection.

Instead of going with a young blocker that could help their offensive line, Minnesota decided to select UCF cornerback Mike Hughes with their first-round pick last year.

After the Vikings’ first few games last season, it seemed like Hughes was going to turn into one of the best corners on the team’s roster. However, his knee apparently had other plans.

During Minnesota’s Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Hughes suffered a torn ACL and he was knocked out for the remainder of the year. It was the second straight season in which the Vikings saw their top draft pick be lost for the year due to a torn ACL as running back Dalvin Cook suffered the same fate in 2017.

Not much has been known when it comes to how well Hughes has been recovering from his injury this offseason. That was until Tuesday when Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman spoke to the local media and informed everyone that their young corner is progressing well.

"“He’s running. It’s a process. He’s a little ahead of schedule right now. We’ve got a long way to go, but I know he’s been here all offseason working extremely hard at it. I know he’s anxious to get back on that field.”"

For those looking for proof, a video also popped up online on Tuesday featuring Hughes doing some running on his surgically repaired knee. The clip also reveals that the Vikings’ corner is currently wearing a brace on his left knee.

Spielman’s comments and the video clip seem both seem like good signs for Hughes’ chances of being ready for the start of the 2019 season.

He still has a long way to go until then, of course. But it appears that Hughes’ recovery is definitely headed in the right direction.