All the Vikings can do is take care of business vs the Lions at home. One game at a time... anything can happen. Im not holding my breath or panicking. Its been fun even with Cousins going down along with JJ and all the set-backs. Its all part of the damn game.
Vikings Announce Jordan Hicks Will Return to Practice Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell announced Hicks will return to practice Tuesday, effectively activating the 21-day window in which the team can decide to elevate him from Injured Reserve to the 53-man roster. Hicks suffered an injury during Minnesota's Week 10 game against the Saints. What was thought to initially be a deep bruise quickly developed into compartment syndrome, and Hicks was taken via ambulance to the hospital for emergency surgery. He was added to Injured Reserve Nov. 14, determining he would miss at least the next four games. When he spoke to media members Dec. 7, Hicks had expressed optimism in returning to the field during the regular season. Through the season's first 10 games, Hicks totaled 87 tackles, one interception, a sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and four passes defensed. Rookie linebacker Ivan Pace, Jr., has been handling "green dot" helmet duties in Hicks' absence, and Troy Dye has stepped up into a starting role. Though the defense has navigated the loss of Hicks fairly smoothly, he'll certainly be welcomed back with open arms. O'Connell said it will be "huge" to get Hicks back, especially if he's able to play in this weekend's game against the Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. "What Jordan brings from a communication standpoint in that huddle, or when people are kind of in that 2-minute mode and he can be an extension of Flo' (Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores) out there, as far as getting the call, the checks, the alerts – the communication to all 11 guys," O'Connell said. "He's got such great rapport with [Harrison Smith], [Josh] Metellus and [Camryn] Bynum on the back end, and then making sure the front's dialed in with Danielle [Hunter] and D.J. [Wonnum] and those interior guys to go have the best rush plan tied in with the coverage – if we're sending a pressure, if we're dropping into coverage, whatever that looks like, you feel ultimately the most comfortable when you've got a veteran presence like Jordan who just has total ownership of what we're doing. "And I think [Pace has] been great in his absence – not only making plays but coordinating a lot of those things through the green dot with Flo' in his ear," O'Connell continued. "So I think the experience Ivan gained in that time will only help him and his communication in that role when Jordan does come back and those two are side by side making sure, from that linebacker position, that we're dialed in. "I know our guys are excited," O'Connell added. "Jordan is the heart and soul, as far as the leadership goes, on our defense – right alongside Harry and Danielle and Josh Metellus and some of our other guys. Anytime you can get a player like that back – we've gotta get him some reps this week and see where he's at … and if we can have him available, I think it'll be a real bonus for us this week." VIKINGS.com
Vikings injury report: 4 starters not practicing as Lions approach With the biggest game of the season approaching, the Vikings still don't know if they'll have four starters on the field against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Right tackle Brian O'Neill (ankle), running back Alexander Mattison (ankle), defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (back) and cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (hamstring) were all held out of practice Thursday. All four also missed practice Wednesday. David Quessenberry started in O'Neill's place last Saturday against the Bengals and Ty Chandler got the start for Mattison. If Murphy Jr. can't go, the onus will be on Akayleb Evans and rookie Mekhi Blackmon to step up in the secondary. Wide receiver Jalen Nailor also missed a second straight practice Thursday as he remains in concussion protocol, and edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who is second in the NFL with 15.5 sacks. was limited Thursday because of an illness. Defensive linemen Jonathan Bullard and Sheldon Day were both limited due to ankle injuries. The only good news the Vikings had on the injury report Thursday is a second straight full practice for linebacker Jordan Hicks, who now appears likely to suit up for the first time since undergoing emergency surgery on his shin after suffering a compartment syndrome injury in Week 11 against the Saints. SI
Im Captain Obvious, but... Need another 100 yarder out of Chandler. Need Mullens to not turn the ball over.
UPDATED... OUT CB Byron Murphy Jr. (knee) WR Jalen Nailor (concussion) QUESTIONABLE DE Jonathan Bullard (ankle) NT Harrison Phillips (back) ILB Jordan Hicks (shin) ILB Ivan Pace Jr. (shoulder) RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) RT Brian O’Neill (ankle) The only major surprise on here Pace who was added on Friday with a shoulder injury. There is still hope that he can go, same with the rest of the players on the list, all of whom were practicing to some extent on Friday.
Yeah that is good news Danielle Hunter is playing the rest of.players cross your fingers and hope for the best time to put the pedal to the medal GO VIKINGS
Vikings activate Jordan Hicks from injured reserve He last played on November 12, in a win over the Saints. Linebacker Jordan Hicks will be back with the Vikings on Sunday. Hicks was activated to the 53-man roster on Saturday, six weeks after a case of compartment syndrome required emergency leg surgery. The 31-year-old defensive captain joined the Vikings as a free agent in 2022, playing inside linebacker in the team’s first 3-4 defense in decades. He started the first 10 games of the 2023 season before suffering the injury. The Vikings waived linebacker Nick Vigil in order to create a spot for Hicks. The Vikings will take any help they can get as they try to turn a 1-4 start into a playoff appearance. If the Vikings win out and if the Lions lose next Saturday night to the Cowboys, the Vikings will win the NFC North.
This is the NFL where werid sh*t happens if the Lions stumble and the Vikings win the NFC North there will be MAJOR HEARTBREAK in DETROIT like I said no time for half stepping time to go for broke and put the pedal to the metal what do have to lose? KOC Nothing
I agree. Its a huge game. I dont think we win the North, but the Vikings can sure reek havoc if the dont turn the ball over. Im fired up, cant wait.
Penalty Lions... automatic first down. Stuff it. _ ____ So they toss it and bad shit happens. __________ ____________________ Next play, Chandler, TD.... 7-7
Luv it looks like there playing to.win Ty Chandler Love the Vikings whiteout a fumble Ivan Pace Jr got the ball GO VIKINGS Lions 7 Vikings 7
