EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are on the verge of getting one of their defensive captains back.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks returned to practice Tuesday after spending more than a month on Injured Reserve with a leg injury. Hicks was injured during a Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints. Initially, it was believed to be a deep bruise, but it developed into compartment syndrome, which required emergency surgery.
"This past month has gone by very slow," Hicks told reporters on Tuesday. "I've made a lot of really good progression, and once you feel like you're starting to get back, time goes by very slow. ... Excited to be back out there."
Prior to the injury, Hicks had 87 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, a forced fumble and a sack. In his absence, rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has filled in admirably with a team-leading 40 tackles over the past four games, including two sacks, two tackles for loss and a late interception that helped Minnesota hang on to a 3-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
"I know our guys are excited," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said on Monday. "Jordan is the heart and soul, as far as the leadership goes, on our defense, right alongside (Harrison Smith) and Danielle (Hunter) and Josh Metellus and some of our other guys. Anytime you can get a player like that back — we've got to get him some reps this week and see where he's at toward the end of the week — and if we can have him available, I think it will be a real bonus for us for this week."
The Vikings currently hold the second wild card spot in the NFC playoff race, with a division title still within their grasp. Two of the final three games will be against NFC North-leading Detroit, including a tilt on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings will still need some help if they're going to defend their division title — Minnesota will have to win out and Detroit will have to lose to Dallas in Week 17 — so plenty will be at stake Sunday afternoon.
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