21 Mike Hughes CB

Hughes returned an interception for a touchdown, had three total tackles and defended three passes in Sunday's win over the 49ers.

Hughes was quickly pressed into a larger role in his first NFL game after Trae Waynes left with an ankle injury. Hughes moved to cornerback from slot cornerback and held his own in coverage, including returning a gift bad throw for a touchdown. Hughes could start at cornerback if Waynes is out next week.

Hughes could be Minnesota's slot corner Sunday against the 49ers with Mackensie Alexander dealing with an ankle injury, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Hughes had a strong preseason and could get more playing time initially than first thought. He'll also be the team's primary kick returner.

Hughes will begin training camp as the primary kickoff returner, special-teams coordinator Mike Priefer told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Marcus Sherels will begin training camp as the punt returner, but Priefer said both will have to compete to keep those roles. It's possible Hughes could win the punt return job as well. Hughes, Minnesota's 2018 first-round draft pick, was a star in the return game at Central Florida as he scored twice on kick returns and once on a punt return last season. He'll compete for a slot cornerback role this summer on defense.