Vikings Injury Updates: Alexander Mattison, Jordan Hicks, Akayleb Evans

Another week, another win for the Vikings, where they had to rely on their depth to step in when key players were on offense.
The Vikings lost three starters to injuries in Sunday’s game.
RB Alexander Mattison has a concussion, LB Jordan Hicks has a contused calf and CB Akayleb Evans has a calf injury.
Hicks has been one of the Vikings’ best defensive players all season.
Not only is he a key leader and communications hub as the guy who relays Brian Flores’ calls, but the 31-year-old defenseman also fills the stat sheet.
He is the Vikings’ leading tackler this season and has one interception, one sack, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown.

Early in Sunday’s game, Hicks left the field and headed into the medical tent. He was briefly able to return, but then missed the remainder of the afternoon. It’s unclear if he’ll be available next weekend in Denver.

“We’ll see how that swelling looks and if we can get that to go down,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said.

With Hicks out, rookie Ivan Pace Jr. became the green dot player who took the calls from Flores. After the game, other defensive players spoke highly of the way Pace handled that responsibility. Troy Dye stepped in and got some snaps at LB in Hicks’ absence.

Evans’ calf injury opened the door for Mekhi Blackmon to see a big role, and the rookie wound up recording his first career interception late in the fourth quarter.

Mattison suffering a concussion meant the Vikings relied on Ty Chandler — who scored his first career touchdown in the second quarter — down the stretch. They also gave Kene Nwangwu his first two carries of the season at one point. If Mattison doesn’t clear the protocol for next week, the Vikings would be down to Chandler, Nwangwu, and maybe DeWayne McBride (practice squad) next week.