Inside The Vikings

Vikings Elevate Jacob Hollister to Active Roster, Downgrade D.J. Wonnum to Out

The Vikings will be without an important part of their pass rush rotation on Sunday.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Elevate Jacob Hollister to Active Roster, Downgrade D.J. Wonnum to Out
Vikings Elevate Jacob Hollister to Active Roster, Downgrade D.J. Wonnum to Out

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Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings will officially be without D.J. Wonnum on Sunday against the Dolphins. The third-year outside linebacker, who has 2.5 sacks in five games after recording eight sacks last season, is dealing with a non-COVID illness. He was downgraded to out on Saturday after initially being listed as questionable.

Wonnum is a notable loss for the Vikings. He's their No. 3 outside linebacker behind Za'Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter, but he actually has more sacks and pressures than Hunter. Despite playing roughly 30 snaps per game, Wonnum's 12 pressures are tied with Dalvin Tomlinson for second-most on the team. Smith leads the way with 18 pressures (and 3.5 sacks), while Hunter is fourth with ten pressures.

Wonnum, a 2020 fourth-round pick out of South Carolina, is a great athlete with the speed to beat tackles to the outside.

With Wonnum out, undrafted rookie Luiji Vilain will presumably be active as the Vikings' No. 4 outside linebacker behind Smith, Hunter, and Patrick Jones II, who slides up one spot. If Jones plays 20 defensive snaps, it will be his career high.

The Vikings also elevated veteran Jacob Hollister from the practice squad to the active roster to be their No. 3 tight end behind Irv Smith Jr. and Johnny Mundt. Ben Ellefson was placed on IR prior to last week's game. Rookie Nick Muse was elevated last week, but Hollister is the more experienced player and has now been in the Vikings' building for three weeks, so he's gaining familiarity with the offense.

Muse ended up only playing on special teams, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Hollister get a few offensive snaps. The 28-year-old is a sixth-year veteran who has seen regular season action with the Patriots, Seahawks, and Jaguars. Hollister has a career receiving line of 83 catches, 707 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He's also a capable blocker.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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