Checking in with Hercules Mata’afa’s quest to make the Vikings

James Snook-USA TODAY SportsThings went bad in a hurry for former WSU defensive lineman Hercules Mata’afa. The undrafted free agent had a chance of making the roster for the Vikings last season, until he tore his ACL during OTAs.

After a year of rehab and recovery, Mata’afa is back and, seemingly, better than ever. Dan Thompson caught up with the former Pac-12 defensive player of the year for a piece in the Spokesman Review. Mata’afa was devastated after the knee injury forced the team to make a move, but quickly realized what that move meant. The team moved Hercules to the Injured Reserve, a move that meant the team wanted to keep him around and that gave him motivation to work even harder.

“…