When the Minnesota Vikings play their NFC North Division opponents at Green Bay on Sunday, they will be without a starter, but they will also be getting a few players back. Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was officially ruled out of the Vikings’ game against the Packers on Friday due to an ankle injury; however, no other players were listed as injured. That’s significant because the injury report for the week included 12 players in total (two for rest purposes).
Additionally, it indicates that rookie edge Dallas Turner and wide out Jordan Addison should be back for Sunday’s contest. Turner sustained a knee injury in Week 2 that kept him out of action all last week, while Addison sustained an ankle injury in the first half of the season’s first game against the New York Giants and hasn’t played since.
It is anticipated that Kamu Grugier-Hill, a linebacker, would cover for Pace for the second straight week. Prior to this weekend’s divisional matchup, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell affirmed his faith in Grugier-Hill based on his performance against Houston. “He was circling about like an old pro. About Grugier-Hill, O’Connell remarked, “I felt that was critical.” “A guy that hasn’t been talked about a lot but has a huge role, especially on (special) teams when we are healthy, but a guy that can walk right in the huddle and command a lot of respect from his teammates with how prepared he is and I know we can really rely on him.” According to O’Connell, Pace should be able to make a comeback fairly soon.
“Getting really close. Hope to have him next week but we wanna give … be smart with Ivan and give him the weekend so we can get him up and rolling,” O’Connell said. “He’s done a nice job in his rehab and he’s right around the corner from being right back out there with us full-time.” The head coach also provided a positive update on the statuses of tight end T.J. Hockenson and guard Dalton Risner, who are both on injured reserve and will be eligible to return next week, although O’Connell wouldn’t commit to that right away. However, he said both are doing well and should return soon. Given that the Vikings have a bye week after next week’s game, which will be played in London, it wouldn’t be surprising for the team to wait until Week 7 to activate those guys.
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