Minnesota Vikings Injury Updates | Shark Bites

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 Edge Marcus Davenport is inactive for today's game against the Buccaneers. He suffered an ankle injury in Friday's practice and entered the day questionable. We'll see about his status for Week 2 and beyond. Davenport is merely a low-level IDP option until he proves otherwise.

The Browns have acquired Edge Za'Darius Smith from the Vikings for a mere swap of draft picks. Minnesota has been expected to move on from Smith this offseason to save salary cap. The 30-year-old rebounded from losing nearly all of 2021 to injury, racking up 80 total pressures in his lone Vikings season, according to Pro Football Focus. That marked the second-largest total of his career, and Smith has earned elite-level pass-rushing grades from PFF in each of his last three healthy campaigns. He should play lead snaps opposite Myles Garrett in Cleveland, though free-agent addition Ogbonnia Okoronkwo will factor into the rotation as well.

The Vikings are signing EDGE Marcus Davenport to a one-year, $13 million deal, according to multiple reports. It's a good-sized "prove it" opportunity for the former first-round pick, who managed just a half-sack, 2 tackles for loss and 8 QB hits over 15 appearances with the Saints last season. Davenport topped out at 9 sacks (in 11 games) the year before but clearly disappointed across five years in New Orleans. Injuries played a big role. So we'll see whether he can hit 2023 healthy, stay there, and repay the Vikings for the opportunity. His arrival could signal the departure of EDGE Za'Darius Smith, who recently asked the team to let him pursue trade opportunities.

Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter (neck) is active for today's game against the Colts. He popped up on Wednesday's injury report as limited and remained limited Thursday before turning up questionable, but Hunter should be ready for IDP lineups in a high-ceiling matchup. DT Harrison Phillips (back) is also active.

Vikings LB Jordan Hicks left Sunday's loss to the Lions with a toe injury and did not return. He'll have a Monday MRI to determine the severity, HC Kevin O'Connell told reporters afterward. Brian Asamok checked in 3rd among Vikings non-edge LBs against the Lions but didn't pick up all the playing time that Hicks lost. We'll see about the replacement plan if Hicks misses further game action.

The Vikings have ruled S Harrison Smith (concussion) out for Sunday's game against the Lions. LB Eric Kendricks (toe) is questionable. Kendricks didn't appear on the injury report until Friday, when the issue limited his participation. That's worrisome timing for his Week 3 status. We'll keep an eye on him through Sunday morning.

The Vikings selected CB Andrew Booth in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. Booth might have slid in the draft for injury concerns, but his most recent issue was just a sports hernia. His college numbers don’t point to huge IDP upside in the NFL: 68 total tackles, 5 INTs and 9 passes defensed across 3 seasons. Booth goes to a Minnesota secondary that presents immediate opportunity to compete for a starting gig.

The Vikings have downgraded MLB Eric Kendricks (biceps) to out for Sunday's game against the Lions. Minnesota might also be missing LB Anthony Barr, who is questionable with knee and hamstring injuries that allowed him only a limited Friday workout this week. LB Nick Vigil should get full playing time in a friendly setting for tackle opportunities. If Barr is also out, then Troy Dye looks like the next LB up for significant playing time. The Vikings did activate DT Michael Pierce from IR. That follows DT Dalvin Tomlinson's return from the COVID list to replenish the middle of the Minnesota D-line.

Vikings DE Danielle Hunter left Sunday night's game against the Cowboys with a shoulder injury. After initially calling him questionable to return, Minnesota ruled him out for the game near the start of the 2nd half. That doesn't bode well for his immediate outlook. We'll see about the specific diagnosis.

Minnesota added LB Eric Kendricks to the injury report Thursday, when he missed practice with a quad issue. We'll see whether he makes it back onto the field Friday. DE Everson Griffen also sat out with a concussion, which doesn't bode well for his Week 2 readiness. OLB Anthony Barr looks poised to miss at least 1 more game with the knee injury that kept him out of the opener. That would mean another start for Nick Vigil, assuming he's healthy enough to play. Vigil was limited Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle issue. We'll see about his game status after Friday's practice.