Cornerback Mike Hughes exited the Vikings’ 40-23 loss to the Falcons on Sunday in the second quarter with a neck injury and did not return, leaving the defense with three rookie cornerbacks against Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
Ryan torched those rookies and the Vikings secondary for 371 passing yards and four touchdowns, with the bulk of his production going to Atlanta’s dynamic receiver trio of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage. They combined for 18 catches for 263 yards and three scores.
“I still think they’re going to be good players,” head coach Mike Zimmer said after the loss.