Vikings Activate Jordan Hicks, Elevate 2 for Week 16 Lions Game

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell said it will be “huge” to get Hicks back.

“What Jordan brings from a communication standpoint in that huddle, or when people are kind of in that 2-minute mode and he can be an extension of Flo’ out there, as far as getting the call, the checks, the alerts – the communication to all 11 guys,” O’Connell said. “He’s got such great rapport with [Harrison Smith], [Josh] Metellus and [Camryn] Bynum on the back end, and then making sure the front’s dialed in with Danielle [Hunter] and D.J. [Wonnum] and those interior guys to go have the best rush plan tied in with the coverage – if we’re sending a pressure, if we’re dropping into coverage, whatever that looks like, you feel ultimately the most comfortable when you’ve got a veteran presence like Jordan who just has total ownership of what we’re doing.

“And I think [Pace has] been great in his absence – not only making plays but coordinating a lot of those things through the green dot with Flo’ in his ear,” O’Connell continued. “So I think the experience Ivan gained in that time will only help him and his communication in that role when Jordan does come back and those two are side by side making sure, from that linebacker position, that we’re dialed in.

“I know our guys are excited,” O’Connell added. “Jordan is the heart and soul, as far as the leadership goes, on our defense – right alongside Harry and Danielle and Josh Metellus and some of our other guys.”

In order to make room for Hicks, the Vikings waived veteran linebacker Nick Vigil, who has spent time on Minnesota’s 53-man roster and practice squad this season. Vigil has played 83 snaps on special teams over the course of six games this season.

Minnesota also utilized standard elevations for cornerback Jaylin Williams and receiver Lucky Jackson.

Williams is an undrafted rookie out of Indiana. He recorded nine tackles, an interception and two passes defensed during the preseason. Williams, 23, was released during roster reductions and signed to Minnesota’s practice squad before the season.

Jackson, who played college football at Western Kentucky, is an NFL rookie who played for the XFL’s D.C. Defenders and earned an All-XFL selection after recording 36 catches for 573 yards and five touchdowns. He joined Minnesota in May and caught two passes for 23 yards during the preseason.