Vikings Place Ivan Pace Jr on IR and Swipe New LB from Packers PS, Among Flurry of Roster Moves
Thus far, in 2024, the Minnesota Vikings have remained relatively healthy. Sort of. They have been without a starter here or there, like left tackle Christian Darrisaw recently, TJ Hockenson early and Blake Cashman in between. On Tuesday, however, they lost another key contributor, when inside linebacker Ivan Pace Jr was placed on injured reserve.
Ivan Pace Jr. placed on Minnesota Vikings injured reserve
Through the Minnesota Vikings first 11 games, Ivan Pace Jr. has been a steadying presence in the middle of the defense. The undrafted free agent didn’t get the green dot on his helmet this season, and he’s not yet the linebacker that Cashman is, but Pace’s 59 tackles and 6 tackles for loss so far this year will certainly be missed.
The #Vikings have signed LB Jamin Davis (@Jamindavis25) to the 53-man roster.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 26, 2024
OLB Gabe Murphy has been activated off IR to the 53-man roster and LB Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/nWlBfpS4er
Pace has already surpassed his sack total from last season with three, and he was tracking to contribute more than the 102 tackles he put up a year ago. Defensively he has played 63% of the snaps for Flores, and has backed off usage on special teams. Working alongside Blake Cashman, the Vikings linebacking unit has been among the strength of the defense.
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It will be a next man up mentality for Minnesota. Cashman just recently returned from his turf toe injury. The Minnesota Vikings will likely turn to Kam Grugier-Hill, whose play has been up and down this season. He is tied for third-most on the team in interceptions, and he has logged 14 tackles, but the 30-year-old seasoned veteran’s PFF grades tell a pretty ugly story.
Ivan Pace Jr. does hilarious things on film. He’s like a bumper car fueled by Red Bull. pic.twitter.com/r7GxN3a46y
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) November 19, 2024
The hope is that Pace Jr. can heal the hamstring injury and return after missing the minimum four games. That would put him back for the Vikings last two games of the season, plus a nice, long playoff run… hopefully. With Pace Jr. being moved off the active roster, the Vikings had plenty of shuffling to do.
Vikings activate Gabe Murphy, swipe ILB Jamin Davis from Packers practice squad
Moving Pace Jr to IR meant the Minnesota Vikings had two available 53-man roster spots. They filled them with two linebackers. The first was rookie OLB Gabe Murphy, who was in his 21-day practice window, after being placed on injured reserve earlier in the season.
The other is ILB, Jamin Davis, who was on the Green Bay Packers practice squad. The 2021 first round pick (No. 19 overall) will be asked to pick up some of the snaps that Pace Jr. is vacating. Davis has played in five games this year, but they all came with the Washington Commanders.
He was a regular starter each of the past two seasons and has seven career sacks across 50 games. Davis played his college ball at the University of Kentucky. He’s started 36 games in his 4-year NFL career. For the Commanders back in 2022, Jamin Davis made 104 tackles, including 9 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.
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The 25-year-old fourth-year veteran started all 13 of the games he played in last season, in DC, recording 89 tackles, 3 sacks 4 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles. For a midseason pickup off of a rival’s practice squad, the Jamin Davis is a VERY intriguing signing.
The #Vikings have signed LB Jamin Davis (@Jamindavis25) to the 53-man roster.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 26, 2024
OLB Gabe Murphy has been activated off IR to the 53-man roster and LB Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/nWlBfpS4er
That’s not the only roster news for Minnesota either. They won’t be getting tight end Nick Muse back after waiving him on Monday. The practice squad is currently full, and long snapper Jack McQuaide has to be signed to the active roster this week.
All of this takes place while Minnesota awaits word on a decision from quarterback Daniel Jones, who was recently waived by the New York Giants. In other words, it’s been a busy day at the TCO Performance Center.
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