The Vikings activated linebacker Jordan Hicks to the 53-man roster on Saturday just six weeks after undergoing emergency surgery to address compartment syndrome in his right leg.
Hicks, 31, suffered what he thought was a bruise to his shin during a Nov. 12 game against the New Orleans Saints and played through the injury until he started to feel numbness in his foot and lost strength in his right leg. He was rushed to a local hospital, diagnosed with compartment syndrome and underwent emergency surgery.
Compartment syndrome can be potentially devastating, with worst-case scenarios resulting in muscle loss or even amputation.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell had said Hicks was ahead of schedule in recent weeks, and Hicks returned to practice this week, the earliest he was able to under NFL rules for players placed on injured reserve. It appears likely he’ll play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
As a corresponding move, the Vikings waived linebacker Nick Vigil. Receiver Lucky Jackson and cornerback Jaylin Williams have also been activated to the 53-man roster for Sunday’s game.
Hicks, one of the Vikings’ three defensive captains, is an important piece of the Vikings’ defense having started all of the first 10 of Minnesota’s games. Hicks had 87 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception before missing the last four games while on injured reserve.
