Hughes finished 2023 with 21 tackles (14 solo) and one pass defense in 15 appearances. He also recorded 46 kick-return yards and 67 punt-return yards.
Hughes signed a two-deal deal with the Falcons last offseason after a strong campaign with Detroit. He operated primarily as a return man to open 2023, but he slowly relinquished those duties to Dee Alford and started to carve out a defensive role. Hughes is under contract for one more season and figures to garner a similar role in 2024, though Atlanta may look to revamp its cornerback room behind A.J. Terrell this offseason.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Returns to action Sunday
Rotowire
Hughes (hand) is back in the game Sunday after leaving earlier in the first half, Josh Kendall of The Athletic reports.
Hughes should return to his backup right corner role behind Jeff Okudah. The sixth-year pro has three tackles in the game and nine this season.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Handles return duties again
Rotowire
Hughes returned two kickoffs for 27 yards and three punts for 11 yards during Sunday's 20-6 loss to the Lions.
Hughes has handled kick- and punt-return duties in back-to-back weeks after Scotty Miller and Dee Alford shared those responsibilities in the season opener. Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) has yet to suit up this season, but when he's available, he should handle more kick returns than he has in previous years. However, Hughes appears to have solidified himself as the punt returner, a vacancy opened by Avery Williams' season-ending knee injury during training camp.
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Falcons' Mike Hughes: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Hughes (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Hughes has been dealing with a hip flexor injury since mid-August but did return to practice Monday. With Hughes and running back Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) both out, it's unclear who will return kicks for the Falcons.
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Lions' Mike Hughes: Available against Jets
Rotowire
Hughes (illness) is active for Sunday's game at the Jets, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.
After coming down with an illness Thursday, Hughes appears set to play in Week 15. He should rotate behind Jeff Okudah and Will Harris on Sunday.
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Lions' Mike Hughes: Amasses seven tackles
Rotowire
Hughes recorded seven tackles (six solo) during Sunday's 34-23 win over the Vikings.
Hughes played all but two defensive snaps this past weekend versus Minnesota, and two of his seven stops were made behind or at the line of scrimmage. With fellow cornerback Will Harris (hip) still questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Jets, Hughes could once again find himself in a busy role Week 15.
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Lions' Mike Hughes: Catches on with Detroit
Rotowire
Hughes signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Lions on Monday, Doug Kyed of Pro Football Focus reports.
Hughes appeared in all 17 games a season ago with Kansas City, finishing with 47 tackles (40 solo), six passes defensed, one interception, one touchdown, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He also was utilized on special teams, totaling 25 kick return yards and 68 punt return yards. Hughes will be considered one of the top corners in Detroit, alongside Amani Oruwariye and Jeff Okudah.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Fifth-year option declined
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The Vikings declined Hughes' team option for 2022 on Monday, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune reports.
Hughes has had his career derailed by injuries since the Vikings grabbed him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, having missed 24 games over the last three seasons. The offseason addition of Patrick Peterson means Hughes isn't guaranteed a consistent role in the secondary during the 2021 campaign, which will now represent a contract year.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Going on IR
Rotowire
Hughes (neck) was placed on IR on Friday, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.
Hughes' neck injury isn't believed to be season-ending, but it will force him to sit out for at least three weeks. The earliest that the 2018 first-round pick could be back on the field will be Week 11 against the Cowboys.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Season in doubt
Rotowire
Hughes (neck) didn't practice Wednesday, and the Vikings are considering moving him to injured reserve, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
The team is apparently weighing whether to shut down the 23-year-old for the season, so a return in the immediate future appears unlikely. Hughes has been dealing with the neck issue for more than a month and has appeared in only four games this season.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Will miss Week 3
Rotowire
Hughes (neck) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Titans.
Minnesota will be short in the secondary with fellow cornerback Cameron Dantzler (ribs) also ruled out. Hughes' next chance to suit up will come in Week 4 against the Texans.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Limited in Thursday's practice
Rotowire
Hughes was limited in Thursday's practice due to a neck injury.
Hughes practiced without restrictions Wednesday, so Thursday's limited session represents a minor step in the wrong direction. Of course, there's not yet any reason to worry about his availability for Sunday's playoff contest in New Orleans.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Ready to rock
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) is officially listed as active for Sunday's game against Oakland.
Hughes will make is return after suffering an ACL tear last October, and it's unclear if he'll be on a snap count for the game. The 2018 first-round pick is expected to sport a knee brace for the game but could ditch it depending on word from the Vikings' medical staff. Hughes appears likely in line for a nickel-based role as the team looks to ease him back into action.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Could play Week 3
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) could suit up for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reports.
Hughes was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. Coach Mike Zimmer called him "a full go," per Tomasson. The 2018 first-round pick appears to be closing in on a complete recovery from the torn ACL that limited him to six contests as a rookie. If Hughes is able to suit up, he'll play a key role in Minnesota's secondary.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Doubtful to play Sunday
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) is considered doubtful for Sunday's clash with Green Bay.
Hughes missed the season opener with this injury as well. The 22-year-old is trying to bounce back from an ACL tear that limited his rookie season to just six games. If he ultimately can't suit up Sunday, Kris Boyd and Mark Fields would likely fill in.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Limited in practice again
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Hughes is coming off an ACL tear that limited his rookie season to six games and has now logged two consecutive limited practices. Though the second-year cornerback appears to be trending towards sitting out Week 1 versus the Falcons, he's making positive progress in his recovery.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Not ready for OTAs
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Hughes (knee) hasn't been participating in OTAs, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Hughes was in attendance at the Vikings' facility Wednesday, but was limited to working out on the side as part of his rehab, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It isn't clear when the 2018 first-round pick will be ready to take the field in live drills for the first time since tearing his ACL last October.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Return timeline remains unclear
Rotowire
Hughes (knee) began walking in early December but has no official recovery timeline.
Hughes underwent surgery to repair a torn left ACL on Oct. 23 and has been in rehab since. The 21-year-old hasn't suffered any setbacks, but he declined to offer a recovery timeframe for the time being. The rookie first-round pick will hopefully be ready around the start of the 2019 season, but more information should become available as he continues his rehab process.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Officially placed on IR
Rotowire
The Vikings placed Hughes (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Craig Peters of the team's official site reports.
The roster move was inevitable after Hughes was confirmed to have suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Sunday's win against the Cardinals. Thus, the 2018 first-round pick ends his rookie campaign with 22 tackles (19 solo), one pick-six and one forced fumble in six games. With Hughes out for the season, Trae Waynes will hold down the starting spot opposite Xavier Rhodes while Mackensie Alexander mans the slot.
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Vikings' Mike Hughes: Suffers season-ending ACL tear
Rotowire
Coach Mike Zimmer confirmed Monday that Hughes' MRI revealed a torn ACL, ending the rookie cornerback's season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Hughes, the Vikings' first-round pick, suffered the left knee injury in Sunday's win over the Cardinals. His first NFL campaign will come to an end after just six weeks, during which the cornerback tallied 22 tackles, three pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble. Hughes' absence should open up more reps for Mackensie Alexander in the Vikings' nickel package. Expect the Vikings to move Hughes to injured reserve later this week.
