Ivan Pace Jr. heads to injured reserve, Vikings sign former first-round pick Jamin Davis

Davis played four seasons for Washington before being cut in October; he was on the Packers' practice squad.

Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) sneaks a peak into the backfield against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Vikings have placed linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the team's 30-27 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Pace's absence will be a huge hole for the Vikings. The second-year linebacker is third on the team in total tackles (59), with six tackles for loss. He also has registered three sacks and one fumble return for a touchdown. Pace has the fifth-best pass-rushing grade (83.2) among interior linebackers across the NFL and the eighth-best run-defense grade (85.6).

It is possible this is just a short-term injured reserve stint for Pace, which means he will miss the next four games — Dec. 1 vs. Arizona, Dec. 8 vs. Atlanta, Dec. 16 vs. Chicago and Dec. 22 at Seattle — at minimum, meaning the earliest he could return is Dec. 29 against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

In a corresponding move, the Vikings signed former first-round pick Jamin Davis from the Packers' practice squad.

The #Vikings have signed LB Jamin Davis (@Jamindavis25) to the 53-man roster.

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

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 26, 2024

Davis, 25, was the No. 19 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft by the Washington Commanders. He appeared in 50 games, starting 36, over four seasons for Washington before being cut in October. Davis has 282 combined tackles, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one interception in his career. He never appeared for the Packers.

The Vikings also announced they have activated undrafted rookie linebacker Gabe Murphy off of injured reserve.