Ivan

Pace

Hicks suffered a bruised shin, spending time in the hospital and getting a procedure done for compartment syndrome. The veteran has been a key starter on the Vikings, spending the last two seasons with the team. The Vikings have put Hicks on injured reserve, sidelining him at least four games. Rookie Ivan Pace Jr. will step into a bigger role while LB Anthony Barr was signed to the Vikings’ practice squad for depth. The team also added RB Myles Gaskin to the practice squad.

Pace (5’10/231) was a part-time player at Miami of Ohio as a freshman. Though he didn’t see much action during this time, he did make a name for himself as a pass-rush specialist with a six-sack game versus Akron. He only appeared in three games as a sophomore before breaking out with 125 tackles, 13 TFLs, and four sacks in 2021. He followed this up with an even more impressive season as a senior. After transferring to Cincinnati, Pace totaled 20.5 TFLs and nine sacks in 2022. Pace has an uncanny game sense and packs a punch despite his undersized frame. His stature may limit him at the next level, but he has a future as a rotational, weakside linebacker and a blitzer.