Vikings LBs Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. are both active for today's game against the Jaguars. It'll be Cashman's first action since Week 5, after he went inactive for the past three games. Pace played no more than 69% of snaps in any of the three games he shared with Cashman earlier this year but saw full playing time in the three contests Cashman missed. That leaves some uncertainty on the snap outlooks for both players today. I have them projected for even playing time against a Jaguars offense that could easily support full-time work for two LBs today.
The Vikings have ruled LB Blake Cashman out for the second straight game with a toe injury. His absence means full playing time for LB Ivan Pace Jr. No other non-edge Minnesota LB played more than 16% of defensive snaps last week, though. We'll see about Cashman's outlook for a Week 9 home date with the Colts.
Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. told Kay Adams on her show Monday that he'll wear the green dot on his helmet this season and call the plays in the defensive huddle. That's a significant revelation for the second-year player, who saw his playing time vary last year and then watched the team pay up for LB Blake Cashman in free agency.
Vikings LB Jordan Hicks (shin) is active for today's game against the Lions. Minnesota activated him from IR Saturday, and it appears Hicks is ready to reclaim his role. There's some risk to playing him right away following a four-game absence, but we're willing to take that shot in LB2 range of the Week 16 LB rankings. Rookie LB Ivan Pace Jr. (shoulder) is active as well after turning up questionable with a late-week shoulder injury. He filled in well for Hicks but now carries a playing-time question with Hicks back. Pace sits in LB3 territory of our rankings. DT Harrison Phillips (back) is also active but sits lower in our DL rankings than usual. There is tackle upside against a Detroit offense that likes to run.
Vikings LB Jordan Hicks is questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions. He put in full practices all week, in his first action following four weeks on IR for compartment syndrome after a shin injury. Hicks tweeted a hype video Friday pointing to his return, but it ended with the message "soon." So we'll have to see whether Hicks will play. If he does, we'd assume he'll play at least near his usual role and carry intriguing IDP upside. We've had Hicks in our Week 16 LB rankings but will continue to track his status. Fellow LB Ivan Pace Jr. popped up on the injury report Friday with a shoulder issue that limited his practice. He's also questionable. DT Harrison Phillips (back) is questionable after managing just one limited practice for the week. You should lean away from using him if possible. The defense will miss CB Byron Murphy (knee). The matchup with Detroit's high-ceiling offense doesn't look attractive regardless of who's active (or not).
The Vikings are opening the 21-day practice window for LB Jordan Hicks this week. Hicks missed the past four games after needing surgery to relieve compartment syndrome following a shin injury on Nov. 12. it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to play this Sunday against the Lions, but that's at least a possibility. "Jordan is the heart and soul ... on our defense," HC Kevin O'Connell said Monday, according to the team website. "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." O'Connell also spoke about how good Hicks is at communicating the calls and ensuring everyone on the defense is in the right spot. That would seem to indicate he'll reclaim the green dot from LB Ivan Pace Jr. and take over calling plays in the defensive huddle. But O'Connell also said Pace has "been great" at filling in for Hicks there and talked about them working side by side. We'd bet the veteran Hicks will reclaim the playing-time lead at the position for a team fighting to reach the playoffs -- assuming he's physically ready to do so. We can't know for sure, of course, how Minnesota will sort out LB playing time until the next game that includes both Hicks and Pace -- or at least until coaches indicate the expected hierarchy. Hicks has scored as a top-10 LB in fantasy points per game this season, so he's worth a look if available on your waiver wire this week. Don't quit on Pace just yet, though, if he has been helpful in your format. And the undrafted rookie remains an upside dynasty asset.
Vikings LB Jordan Hicks required a hospital "procedure" after developing compartment syndrome Sunday. The situation stemmed from a right shin contusion during the win over the Saints. It's not yet clear how long the Vikings expect Hicks to be out, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that they're signing LB Anthony Barr. That suggests we should at least expect Hicks to miss multiple games. Minnesota has two more before its bye. We'll watch for whether the team places Hicks on IR. Rookie Ivan Pace Jr. has been running as the second non-edge LB throughout the season. A big early-season role dwindled, though, to the point where he played less than 31% of the snaps in four straight games before Sunday. Pace shot up to a season-high 84% with Hicks leaving early against New Orleans. He appears to be the logical next guy up, with Troy Dye, Brian Asamoah (if his injured ankle heals), and Nick Vigil also in the mix. We'll watch for more on the situation ahead of next Sunday's visit to Denver.
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