Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Gives Update on Ivan Pace Jr Injury Timeline

The 9-2 Minnesota Vikings are moving on to Week 13, where they’ll face off against the 6-5 Arizona Cardinals. Unfortunately, they’ll be without a key defensive player for this week and the weeks ahead, as Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on injured reserve.

Pace has been a reliable part of the Vikings defense this season, playing 9 weeks so far with a PFF grade of 63.8. While that’s a dip from his 77.1 grade last year, there’s still plenty of time for him to improve once he’s back on the field. So, when can we expect him to return?

Will Minnesota Vikings ILB Ivan Pace Jr. back in 4 weeks?

Today, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the media and shared his heavy optimism in Ivan Pace Jr. He believes the linebacker will be ready to return as soon as he’s eligible to come off injured reserve in 4 weeks.

Kevin O’Connell said he’s hopeful Ivan Pace will return from injured reserve as soon as he’s eligible to return in four weeks. “He will be back,” O’Connell said. “I’m hopeful that [return date] looks very similar to that four-week timeline.”

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) November 27, 2024

Ivan Pace Jr. will be out at least through Week 16, but there’s a chance he could return by Week 17. Either way, it sounds like he’ll at least be ready for the playoffs, which begin right after Week 18, and his presence will be a big boost to the defense.

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Pace has recorded 32 tackles and 17 assists, along with 3 sacks through the first 9 games of the season. While his stats aren’t as strong as his impressive rookie year, where he recorded 70 tackles and 26 assists over all 18 games, he’s been dealing with a string of injuries. That could be a big factor in the drop-off in his performance.