There’s a “Realistic Chance” that the Vikings Will Have Defensive Reinforcements in Week 16
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings had a number of key playmakers appear on their Wednesday injury report.
However, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, there is a chance that the Vikings will have an extra player available to them on the defensive side of the ball this weekend. That help comes in the form of linebacker Jordan Hicks.
The Vikings Could Have Defensive Reinforcements in Week 16
Hicks, 31, went on IR following Minnesota’s Week 10 game against the New Orleans Saints. He exited that game with a lower leg contusion, and he had to be transported to a local hospital to have a procedure done and relieve the pressure.
Since then, Hicks has recounted that day, which could have been a career-altering one. In an interview with Lindsey Young, a writer and editor for the Vikings, the linebacker said this.
“I had no clue about anything like this before that situation, really even until after I woke up from surgery and heard the doctors say, ‘It’s a good thing you got in, because you could have lost your leg.’ Ever since then, I’ve heard countless stories of people having to get stuff amputated, having to get muscle taken out, having drop foot – permanent damage. Wild. Crazy. I’m thankful and blessed to be where I’m at.”
Jordan Hicks recounting his leg injury
Now, though, the surgery and injury seem to be behind him. Hicks had his 21-day practice window opened on Monday, and he was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.
Regarding Hicks’ status moving forward, O’Connell stated on Wednesday that there is a “realistic chance” that he can be back in the lineup and contributing for the Vikings defense just a month after nearly losing his leg and football career.
“I think it all goes back to how it was handled when it happened. Initially, the urgency that Tyler [Williams] and Uriah [Myrie] and our doctors had to get him the help that he needed immediately that night, that’s probably given him the opportunity to have a realistic chance to be out there.”
The Vikings training staff has been vaunted as one of the best in the league, and this is just another example of them knowing exactly what a player needed at precisely the right time.
Had they not been able to get Hicks that help, this story could have ended very differently. Instead, the linebacker is poised to get back on the field and help his team make one final playoff push.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.