Source: Vikings planning to sign linebacker Anthony Barr to practice squad

Vikings defender Jordan Hicks is expected to be absent after undergoing shin surgery on Sunday and the Vikings reportedly plan to bring in a familiar face to fill out the position group.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Vikings are considering signing Anthony Barr as a free agent.
Barr was a first-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2014 and was a four-time Pro Bowler during his eight years with the club.
Barr then played for the Cowboys last season.
He had 58 tackles, one sack and two fumble recoveries in 14 regular season games and nine more tackles in the playoffs.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said rookie Ivan Pace will likely wear the blue dot on his helmet while Hicks is out.
Troy Dye, Nick Vigil and Brian Asamoah are also on the list of defenders.

Anthony Barr is coming back to Minnesota.

A source confirmed to the Pioneer Press that the Vikings are planning to sign Barr to the practice squad in the wake of linebacker Jordan Hicks needing to have emergency surgery on his lower leg. It’s unclear how much time the 31-year-old Barr will need to get in playing shape considering he hasn’t played in the NFL this season.

Originally selected by the Vikings with the No. 9 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Barr played the better part of a decade in Minnesota, emerging as a fan favorite under former head coach Mike Zimmer. He was matchup nightmare for opposing offenses thanks to his rare combination of size and speed.

Not only did role play a key role for the Vikings during his tenure, he was a Pro Bowl selection from 2015-18. After the Vikings decided to part ways with him, Barr played last season with the Dallas Cowboys, finishing with 58 tackles, a sack, and a pair of fumble recoveries.

It’s unclear how much time Barr, 31, will need to get back in shape because he hasn’t played in the NFL this season.

Needing a replacement for injured Jordan Hicks, the Vikings are turning to a familiar face at linebacker.
Anthony Barr has agreed to a deal with Minnesota, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
According to ESPN’s Ben Goessling, Barr will initially join the Vikings’ practice squad.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Hicks was injured in yesterday’s win over the Saints and was taken to hospital with compartment syndrome.
The veteran remains hospitalized overnight and will miss at least one game, Schefter’s colleague Kevin Seifert added.
With a hole at LB, Minnesota is bringing back Barr after his first eight years in the league as a Viking.
The former first-round pick earned four Pro Bowl nominations during his time in Minnesota and he ranks 15th on the franchise’s all-time scoring list.
Barr was limited to two games in 2020 due to a torn pectoral muscle, and knee surgery the following season limited him to just 11 game appearances in 2021.
This resulted in the end of his tenure with the Vikings, and he signed with the Cowboys ahead of the 2022 campaign.
He was productive in his lone season in Dallas, finishing with 58 tackles in 14 games (10 starts).
Barr was connected to the Giants and Saints throughout the offseason, but ultimately did not sign with either team.
His market appears to be heating up, as NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported earlier today that the linebacker worked out for the Eagles.