Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum will miss the rest of the season with a partially torn quad, NFL Network reported Monday.
ESPN reported that the Vikings are also bracing for bad news with tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is having an MRI exam on Monday on his right knee.
Wonnum left Sunday’s 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions after sustaining the non-contact injury to his left leg while he was attempting to rush the passer in the fourth quarter.
The 26-year-old veteran is having his best season since the Vikings drafted him in the fourth round in 2020, posting a career high in tackles (62) in 15 games (14 starts). His eight sacks tie his career high. He returned a fumble 51 yards for a touchdown in a Week 4 win at Carolina.
Wonnum has recorded 23 sacks, 49 quarterback hits, 11 passes defensed and 171 tackles in 62 games (31 starts).
The Vikings (7-8) will have to rely on Pat Jones II and perhaps rookie Andre Carter II for their two remaining games against the visiting Green Bay Packers (Sunday) and the host Detroit Lions (Jan. 7).
Hockenson took a helmet to his knee on the Vikings’ first drive of the second half on Sunday and did not return.
Hockenson, 26, leads Minnesota with 95 catches and 960 receiving yards and has five touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) this season.
–Field Level Media
