What can the Vikings expect from Mike Hughes in 2019?
By Chris Schad
Hughes should take his time getting back
Unlike Dalvin Cook’s situation a year ago, Mike Hughes has the luxury of taking his time to make sure he is ready to return to his role in the Vikings’ defense.
Even with Holton Hill’s four-game suspension, Minnesota still has the core of Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander to help soften the blow if Hughes has to miss the early portion of the regular season.
The Vikings didn’t have that luxury with Cook in 2018, as they only had Latavius Murray and the rookie combination of Mike Boone and Roc Thomas behind him. Cook made a mad dash to return in time for the start of the regular season, but that may have cost him in the end as a hamstring pull knocked him out for seven weeks, not including a cameo against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4.
Even upon Cook’s return against the Detroit Lions in Week 9, Minnesota was cautious not to give him a full workload as he didn’t exceed 10 carries in a game until the team’s Week 13 matchup at New England. However, his lack of carries also could have been due to the pass-happy play calling of offensive coordinator John DeFilippo.
The Vikings holding Hughes out until he’s truly ready next season would be a way to avoid the same setback that Cook suffered last year and make sure that they have the young corner available for the stretch run.