Vikings' Ivan Pace: Logs 72 tackles across 11 contests
Rotowire
Pace finished the 2024 season with 72 tackles (36 solo), including 3.0 sacks, one pass breakup, including one interception, and one fumble recovery across 11 regular-season contests.
Pace missed Weeks 3 and 4 with an ankle injury and was sidelined again from Weeks 13 through 16 with a hamstring issue that landed Pace on injured reserve for four games. He played 79 percent of the defensive snaps in the wild-card playoff loss to the Rams and should be viewed as the favorite to start alongside Blake Cashman at linebacker in 2025 for Minnesota. Pace has one year remaining on his current contract.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Activated off IR on Saturday
Rotowire
The Vikings activated Pace (hamstring) off injured reserve Saturday, and he does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Packers.
Pace spent the past four weeks on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury he suffered against the Bears in Week 12. He was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday, and he has subsequently been activated off IR after logging full practices all week. In the eight games prior to his injury, Pace registered 59 tackles (31 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Iffy to come off IR for Week 17
Rotowire
Pace (hamstring), who is still on IR, is questionable to suit up against the Packers on Sunday.
Pace was designated to return from injured reserve Tuesday and was deemed a full participant in practice throughout the week. However, it's not certain that he'll be active for Sunday's big matchup against Green Bay, and Minnesota would need to activate hm from IR by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday for that to be a possibility. Pace had started in all nine of the games in which he played prior to getting hurt Week 12 versus Chicago.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Logs full practice Thursday
Rotowire
Pace (hamstring) practiced in full Thursday.
Pace was designated to return from IR on Tuesday and was estimated as a full participant Wednesday. He then practiced in full Thursday, making a return to action Sunday versus Green Bay a legitimate possibility. Prior to getting hurt Week 12 versus Chicago, Pace had tallied 59 tackles, including 3.0 sacks, along with a fumble he returned for a touchdown over nine contests.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Estimated as full participant
Rotowire
Pace (hamstring) was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report.
Pace has missed the Vikings' last four games while on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury he suffered against Chicago in Week 12. He was designated to return from IR on Tuesday, and while Wednesday's session was a walkthrough rather than a practice, Pace's full participation indicates that he is progressing well through his recovery. If he's able to fully participate in practice over the next two days, Pace could be activated off IR ahead of Sunday's NFC North clash against the Packers.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Upgrades to limited Thursday
Rotowire
Pace (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice.
After logging a DNP on Wednesday, Pace was upgraded Thursday. He was injured in the Vikings' win over the Colts on Sunday night. Through six games this season, Pace has 50 tackles (28 solo), including four TFLs and 2.0 sacks, and one fumble recovery, which Pace returned for a touchdown in Week 7 versus Detroit.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Dealing with knee injury
Rotowire
Pace (knee) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday's injury report.
Pace finished this past Sunday's win over the Colts with six tackles (three solo), but it appears he may have picked up a knee injury in the process. He'll have two more chances to practice this week ahead of Sunday's game against the Jaguars. Across six regular-season games, Pace has logged 50 tackles (28 solo), including 2.0 sacks.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Has 13 tackles in loss
Rotowire
Pace had 13 total tackles, including a tackle for a loss, and a QB hit in Thursday's loss to the Rams.
Pace played on all of the defense's 71snaps as the primary interior linebacker with Blake Cashman missing the game due to a toe injury. Cashman could return next week against the Colts.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Scores TD on fumble return
Rotowire
Pace had 10 total tackles, a QB hit and returned a fumble for a 36-yard touchdown in Sunday's loss to Detroit.
Pace played on 57 of the defense 58 snaps as the primary interior linebacker with Blake Cashman missing the game with a toe injury. Pace could continue to have an expanded role in Thursday's Week 8 matchup against the Rams if Cashman remains sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Limited Wednesday
Rotowire
Pace (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Pace has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury, but head coach Kevin O'Connell expressed optimism Monday that the inside linebacker would be back for Week 5 against the Jets, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Pace tallied 15 tackles (10 solo) across the first two games of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Out again for Week 4
Rotowire
Pace (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Packers, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
It will be Pace's second straight missed game. Blake Cashman and Kamu Grugier-Hill handled linebacker duties with Pace out last week against Houston. Look for a similar structure in this week's date with the Packers.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: DNP to open week
Rotowire
Pace (ankle) did not participate in the Vikings' walkthrough Wednesday.
Pace was held out of the Vikings' Week 3 win over the Texans due to ankle and quadriceps injuries. He appears to be over the quadriceps issue, but his ankle injury is lingering enough for him to be held out of Wednesday's walkthrough. Pace will have two more chances at seeing the field ahead of Minnesota's Week 4 game against Green Bay.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Out for Week 3
Rotowire
Pace (quadriceps/ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Texans, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
In addition to his previous quad issue, Pace suffered an ankle injury in Thursday's practice, sidelining him for Sunday's showdown with Houston. Through two games, Pace has 15 tackles (10 solo) and one QB hit. Brian Asamoah and Kamu Grugier-Hill are next up for linebacker snaps alongside every-down LB Blake Cashman.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Excels in rookie campaign
Rotowire
Pace logged 102 tackles (63 solo), 2.5 sacks, two passes defended, an interception and a forced fumble and recovery during his rookie campaign.
Pace made the Vikings' 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent out of Cincinnati and was ultimately able to win a spot as one of the team's two starting inside linebackers, as he earned a larger role as the season progressed. The 23-year-old is under contract for two more seasons and should be back in 2024 working to build on his successful rookie campaign.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Leading tackler in loss
Rotowire
Pace had a game-high 12 tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 33-10 loss to the Packers.
After playing just 30 snaps a week ago, Pace played all 74 defensive snaps in Sunday's loss. He reached double-digit tackles for the second time this season. Pace has 93 tackles over 16 games, fourth on the Vikings in that category.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Active Sunday
Rotowire
Pace (shoulder) is active for Sunday's game against the Lions.
Pace appeared on the injury report Friday despite practicing on a limited basis. The starting inside linebacker has yet to miss a game this season and he has not even missed a defensive snap over the past four games. The rookie has 77 tackles, two passes defensed, an interception and a forced fumble in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Moves into starting lineup
Rotowire
Pace started at middle linebacker and had eight total tackles with a half sack in Thursday's loss at Philadelphia.
Pace, an undrafted rookie from Cincinnati, moved into a starting role, and his snap count increased (to playing on 80 percent of the defensive snaps up from 68 percent in Week 1) . He had an impact in the pass rush with a half sack and two quarterback hurries.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Eight tackles in NFL debut
Rotowire
Pace had eight total tackles in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
Pace didn't start at linebacker, but the undrafted rookie from Cincinnati was one of the team's top defenders and could push for more playing time. Pace played on 46 of the defense's 68 snaps while Brian Asamoah played just two snaps on defense. It looks like Pace has essentially taken over the top linebacker role opposite Jordan Hicks when the Vikings utilize two linebackers. He was effective in the pass rush (one QB hit) and pass coverage (only allowed 11 yards on two receptions against him, according to Pro Football Focus).
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Ivan Pace: Look set for roster spot
Rotowire
Pace is beyond competing for a roster spot and has the chance to play defensive snaps right away, head coach Kevin O'Connell told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Pace is an undrafted free agent from Cincinnati who had an impressive spring and preseason. He could earn more playing time at inside linebacker at the expense of Brian Asamoah, especially against the run.
