One Reinforcement on His Way Back for Vikings

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One unsung footnote for the Minnesota Vikings survive-and-advance event at the Green Bay Packers on Sunday involved health.

One Reinforcement on His Way Back for Vikings

Aside from a minor rib injury for wide receiver Brandon Powell — who should have been back for his assignment when Jalen Nailor muffed a punt but was temporarily injured — the Vikings escaped Week 5 in good health.

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Minnesota jumped to a 28-0 lead, but beginning with the Nailor muff, the tide turned, and the Packers damn near mounted a mammoth comeback. The Vikings held on 31-29, thanks to clutch play and turnovers in the 4th Quarter.

Next up is the New York Jets in London, and according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. should be back for the tryst. In Pace Jr.’s stead, veteran Kamu Grugier-Hill has filled in admirably. For the long haul, however, welcoming Pace Jr. back to the lineup will net dividends.

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Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling tweeted Monday, “Kevin O’Connell said the Vikings came out of the game in ‘relatively good health’ and hope to get Ivan Pace Jr. back for the Jets game in London.”

Pace Jr. was injured in a win over the Houston Texans, nursing an ankle-quad injury back to health since. He should be a full go for the London showdown with Aaron Rodgers’ team. Last week at this time, O’Connell said outside linebacker Dallas Turner was nearing a return — he basically used the same verbiage — and the young pass rusher indeed returned for the win over the Packers.

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In total as a rookie, Pace Jr. notched 102 total tackles, 9 QB hits, 2.5 sacks, and an interception. He had banked 15 tackles and a tackle for loss in two games to start his sophomore effort.

The young linebacker made headlines right before Week 1 with his display of confidence that insinuated the Vikings wouldn’t face a major test against the Giants. KSTP’s Darren Wolfson asked Pace Jr. about the Giants-Vikings matchup, and Pace Jr. replied, “We’re about to go crazy. It ain’t even going to be no matchup. We’re about to go crazy on them. It’s going to be cool.”

Pace Jr. said so with a smirk but in the most serious of ways. Put simply, he knew Minnesota would swarm Daniel Jones and Co., and that’s what they did.

Wolfson gave the young linebacker a chance to backtrack a bit in the same interview, but Pace Jr. stuck to his steadfastness, “They look good, they look good. But I know our defense. I know what we got in this locker room. So we’re going to be good,” he replied.

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Other injuries to monitor include tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is recovering from a torn ACL and should be back in a few weeks. Offensive guard Dalton Risner will also be eligible to return this week from a back injury, though his status is more mysterious.

Minnesota is an early 2.5-point favorite against New York.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.