Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks 'ahead of schedule'

When Vikings linebacker Jordan Hicks felt some pain in his leg during a Nov. 19 game against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium, he thought he may have bruised his shin.

But in the third quarter, his foot started feeling numb, he lost all strength in his leg and he had to exit to the locker room. By the time he did, he was in excruciating pain.

At the direction of the Vikings’ medical staff, Hicks was brought to a local hospital where they discovered he had developed compartment syndrome in his right leg, an uncommon condition which results in pressure and swelling from internal bleeding.

The worst-case scenario results of that injury could have been getting the leg amputated.

But Hicks had successful emergency surgery, and now is even planning a return to the Vikings. When asked by reporters on Monday whether the Vikings will open up Hicks’ practice window, coach Kevin O’Connell said they were in discussions about whether to do it this week or next.

“Jordan is probably ahead of schedule when considering the severity of what we felt in the immediate aftermath of his injury,” O’Connell said. “So where he’s at now is very, very positive, and I think Jordan’s getting really close to maybe being able to start officially practicing.”

Before Sunday’s game against the Raiders in Las Vegas, Hicks told reporters he was “pretty optimistic about being able to come back” and detailed his experience and some of the worries surrounding the injury. He credited the team’s medical staff with making a quick decision.

Hicks also said his rehab was going well.

“Every day is different. You try to come in, make the milestones and so far, so good,” he said. “Trying to make it as quick of a timeline as possible, but we’re taking it one day, one step at a time. Just really trying to push to come back.”