Vikings' Jordan Hicks hopes to play vs. Lions this week

Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks will return to practice on Wednesday for the first time since his scary injury situation landed him on IR over a month ago. But this week isn't just about opening his practice window; the veteran is genuinely hopeful that he'll be able to be activated to play in Sunday's big game against the Lions.

"That's the hope," Hicks said on Tuesday. "All signs are good right now."

Hicks developed compartment syndrome in his lower leg after taking a hit to the shin in the Week 10 game against the Saints. In excruciating pain, he was rushed to the hospital for an emergency procedure that doctors later told him may have saved his leg. He feels extremely fortunate to have had everything go well in his recovery — and said it's going to be an emotional experience when he does get back on the field for a game.

"There's so many different aspects and variables to this scenario that ended up going right, and I've heard a ton of stories of that not being the case," Hicks said. "Very blessed, very thankful."

Whether or not Hicks is able to play on Sunday will be determined based on how he feels in practice this week, but it sounds like there's at least a solid chance of that happening.

"He's always had December 24th circled," Darren Wolfson said on SKOR North's Mackey & Judd. "That is the game (he plans) on coming back. Jordan Hicks has been progressing, and in his mind, he's playing on Sunday against the Lions."

Before landing on IR and missing the last four games, Hicks was having his best season since his early-career Eagles days. He has a 76.7 PFF grade — 13th out of the 48 ILBs who have played at least 600 snaps — and won NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts against the Bears in Week 6.

Rookie Ivan Pace Jr. has filled Hicks' every-down green dot role over the last four games; both players figure to have prominent roles once Hicks is able to return.