Vikings remain in holding pattern with injured cornerbacks

The Vikings remain in a holding pattern with the injury-riddled cornerback group after Cameron Dantzler missed another start while in the concussion protocol and Holton Hill was placed on injured reserve this week with a lingering foot injury.

Dantzler has yet to practice, sidelined throughout last week while in the concussion protocol after a scary collision Nov. 1 in Green Bay that left him strapped to a backboard. The third-round rookie has started all five games for which he's been available.

"We'll see this week," Zimmer said Thursday before the Vikings' afternoon practice.

The Vikings turned to a corner collection of rookie Jeff Gladney, Kris Boyd and newcomer Chris Jones during last week's win vs. Detroit. Jones played the No. 3 role, with rookie Harrison Hand (hamstring) active but not playing on defense.

One reinforcement will not be coming anytime soon in Holton Hill, who joined corners Mike Hughes (neck) and Mark Fields (chest) on injured reserve this week. Hill hasn't played since Oct. 4 while dealing with a foot injury that has kept him sidelined longer than the Vikings anticipated, according to Zimmer, who was asked Thursday if Hill will return this season.

"I don't know," Zimmer said. "It's been going on a lot longer than we anticipated so, you know, we'll just kind of have to see."

Hill will at least be sidelined another three games, if not longer.

Zimmer was also asked about the announcement there will be no fans allowed for the Vikings' remaining four home games.

"Yeah, we kind of anticipated that's the way it was going to go," Zimmer said. "We weren't getting much help from the governor, so it's what the rules are — just like everything else this year, with the COVID protocols and every other thing, we just deal with it and try to do our best."