Tough break for the Minnesota Vikings, as if their Sunday night couldn't get any worse: An MRI on Monday morning confirmed that defensive end Danielle Hunter has torn his pectoral muscle, likely ending his 2021 season, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

Hunter hurt his arm during the Vikings' disappointing 20-16 loss at home to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The team initially deemed the injury to be a shoulder issue but feared a torn pec, per Cronin. He left the game in the second quarter.

The two-time Pro Bowler missed the entirety of the 2020 season due to a neck injury.

When he's on the field, the 27-year old is one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL. Through seven games, Hunter is tied for 10th in the league with six sacks. In his five-plus season career, he's has racked up 60.5 sacks.

Article Continues Below

Hunter signed a five-year, $72 million extension in 2018. According to the Daily Norseman, the Vikings re-worked the deal to include more up-front money. As a result, Hunter will be due an $18 million roster bonus on the fifth day of the 2022 league year. We'll have to see how his latest injury affects Minnesota's plans.

Inconveniently, the Vikings traded another defensive end, Stephen Weatherly, to the Denver Broncos during their bye week, leaving little depth at the position behind Everson Griffen (who's been great this season) and D.J. Wonnum.

Minnesota is hanging in the NFC Wild Card race at 3-4.