Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) and linebacker Nick Vigil (right) gather before the game against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Sometimes, it seems like the Minnesota Vikings can’t catch a break.
The club lost Christian Darrisaw last month to an ACL tear, and now linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. will hit injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
The Vikings’ social media team tweeted Tuesday, “The Vikings have signed LB Jamin Davis to the 53-man roster. OLB Gabe Murphy has been activated off IR to the 53-man roster and LB Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on IR.”
Pace Jr. will miss at least the next four games, and if his recovery proceeds swimmingly, he’ll be eligible to return in Week 17 for a contest at home versus the Green Bay Packers. That’s the best-case scenario.
Minnesota will now rely on this linebacking corps for the next month:
The Vikings’ defense ranks first in the NFL per DVOA and EPA/Play through 11 games, so losing Pace Jr. will be a true test of its resilience.
Often, when injuries arise for the Vikings — especially for the 2024 club — onlookers can lean heavily into the “next man up” mantra and hope for the best. While optimists will do the same this time for Pace, there is no caliber of replacement for his skill set. Pace Jr. is an adept pass rusher, disruptor, and playmaker. Upcoming games against increasingly difficult opponents, including the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions, will test defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ mettle without Pace. Although, fans will hope Pace Jr. returns in time for meetings against the Packers and Lions.
Pace Jr. does a little bit of everything on defense, logging 59 tackles in 9 games, with 6 quarterback hits, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, a forced fumble, and a touchdown. His only deficiency in Year No. 2 is pass coverage — opposing quarterbacks have a 122.0 passer rating when targeting Pace Jr.
Minnesota found Pace Jr. via undrafted free agency 19 months ago. Because of his height — 5’10” — general managers shied away from his draft stock when he possessed the talent profile that should’ve netted a 3rd- or 4th-Round draft pick. The Vikings brushed aside the height concerns and signed him to a lucrative UDFA contract.
Their efforts were rewarded. Pace Jr. started immediately in Minnesota, and no suitor has threatened his job since.
The Vikings host the Cardinals on Sunday and are favored to win by three or four points.
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.