Inside The Vikings

Vikings Injury Updates: Alexander Mattison, Jordan Hicks, Akayleb Evans

The Vikings lost three players to injuries over the course of Sunday's win.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Injury Updates: Alexander Mattison, Jordan Hicks, Akayleb Evans
Vikings Injury Updates: Alexander Mattison, Jordan Hicks, Akayleb Evans

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Minnesota Vikings

Another week, another Vikings victory where they had to rely on their depth to step in when key players got banged up.

The Vikings lost three starters to injuries over the course of Sunday's game. RB Alexander Mattison suffered a concussion, LB Jordan Hicks had a lower-leg contusion, and CB Akayleb Evans had a calf injury.

Hicks has been one of the Vikings' best defensive players all season. Not only is he an important leader and the hub of communication as the guy who relays play calls from Brian Flores, the 31-year-old linebacker has also stuffed the stat sheet. He's the Vikings' leading tackler on the season and has an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown.

Early in Sunday's game, Hicks left the field and headed into the medical tent. He was briefly able to return, but then missed the remainder of the afternoon. It's unclear if he'll be available next weekend in Denver.

"We'll see how that swelling looks and if we can get that to go down," head coach Kevin O'Connell said.

With Hicks out, rookie Ivan Pace Jr. became the green dot player who took the calls from Flores. After the game, other defensive players spoke highly of the way Pace handled that responsibility. Troy Dye stepped in and got some snaps at LB in Hicks' absence.

Evans' calf injury opened the door for Mekhi Blackmon to see a big role, and the rookie wound up recording his first career interception late in the fourth quarter.

Mattison suffering a concussion meant the Vikings relied on Ty Chandler — who scored his first career touchdown in the second quarter — down the stretch. They also gave Kene Nwangwu his first two carries of the season at one point. If Mattison doesn't clear the protocol for next week, the Vikings would be down to Chandler, Nwangwu, and maybe DeWayne McBride (practice squad) next week.

They could also look to add a running back this week. Losing Mattison one week after Cam Akers suffered a season-ending Achilles tear is a tough challenge.

The Vikings will hope to get Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn back next week, though Jefferson's absence could linger as the team plays it safe with his hamstring.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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