EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are on the verge of bringing back a familiar face.
According to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the team is planning to sign linebacker Anthony Barr just one season after letting the former first-round pick's contract to expire. Barr, the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, spent eight seasons in Minnesota before signing with the Dallas Cowboys last offseason. Dallas didn't re-sign the veteran linebacker.
The news comes after the team revealed linebacker Jordan Hicks was hospitalized following the Vikings' 27-19 win Sunday over the New Orleans Saints. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Hicks had compartment syndrome after taking a direct shot to his shin during the game. Minnesota (6-4) has rattled off five straight victories and currently hold the final wild card spot in the NFC playoff race.
“You can classify it as kind of a compartment syndrome-type thing where the pressure in that area, and the damage it can cause if not handled with the utmost level of concern like our guys showed, could have been something that could have been very serious,” O'Connell said.
O'Connell said Hicks, Minnesota's leading tackler, would likely miss this week's game at Denver. Hicks has 87 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries while playing nearly every defensive snap for the Vikings this season.
Hicks left Sunday's game in the first quarter with the injury and was evaluated on the sideline. He returned late in the second quarter before leaving again in the third and being ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Barr made 58 combined tackles last year with the Cowboys, including one sack. While in Minnesota, Barr had 495 total tackles, 17.5 sacks and five interceptions. While with the Vikings, Barr wore No. 55, which is currently being worn by Andre Carter II.
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