Harry and IPJ back for Pack game?
Safety Harrison Smith “should be available” for the Vikings’ game Sunday against the Packers, coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.
The defense could also have linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., who will resume practicing after missing the required four games on injured reserve because of a hamstring strain.
The Vikings will monitor Pace with the hope he returns to play Green Bay on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium (3:25 p.m., Ch. 9).
“We’ll see how he progresses,” O’Connell said. “Coming off a hamstring, you never quite know, so I don’t want to be absolute, but the plan is right now to open his window, get him some work, and hopefully have him available.”
Smith missed his first game of the year because of a foot injury suffered in the Dec. 16 win over Chicago.
The Vikings will need to clear a roster spot before activating Pace, whom O’Connell said plays with the type of physicality — or “play style,” in coaching parlance — that coaches preach. The second-year linebacker is one of the Vikings’ most effective run defenders, which will be needed against both Packers and Lions offenses in the next two weeks.
“Ivan is the poster guy for that,” O’Connell said, “because he tackles, he flies around. When he blitzes, he’s as impactful as anybody. When you can really get him and out there at the same time, they both can really play to their strengths. Cash is phenomenal in coverage, reading the quarterback, and when you can pair those guys together ... that’s when we’re at our best.”
startribune
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Pace is very important, Dirty Harry is super important. But the spoon that stirs the soup is Cashman.
Montana Tom wrote:
Pace is very important, Dirty Harry is super important. But the spoon that stirs the soup is Cashman.
100% agree with this...Getting Pace back is big, but he is a run guy vs pass.
Honestly, I would like to see the Vikings get some better LB depth this off-season. We are really hurting when Cashman needs to come off the field, more so than with IPJ.
Hopefully Turner can continue to > on playing time. Give Greenard/Gink a few more breathers at season end and playoffs.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
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