EAGAN, Minn. — Ivan Pace, Jr., is returning to action and just in time for the 129th Border Battle.
The Vikings (13-2) on Saturday activated the second-year linebacker who completed his return from a hamstring injury suffered in Week 12 at Chicago.
He'll be back in action to help against a strong attack from the Packers (11-4). Kickoff is 3:25 p.m. (CT) Sunday, and the game will be broadcast nationally by FOX.
This is the first regular-season Border Battle in which both clubs have entered the matchup with 11 or more wins, and it is just the fourth divisional game in the past 25 seasons to have both teams enter the game with 11-plus wins.
To make room for Pace, the Vikings waived linebacker Jamin Davis, who had been signed from Green Bay's practice squad after Pace's injury and appeared in four games. Davis recorded a sack against the Falcons and helped on defense and special teams.
Pace has totaled 59 tackles, six tackles for loss, six quarterback hits and 3.0 sacks over the course of nine games played this season. He also returned a fumble 36 yards for a touchdown against the Lions in Week 7.
The former undrafted rookie free agent has performed well against the run and is highly skilled at blitzes.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell described Pace's impact on the collective effectiveness of the defense on Monday when he announced the linebacker was going to return to practice.
"We talk a lot about play style, Ivan is the poster guy for that because he tackles, he flies around," O'Connell said. "When he blitzes, he's as impactful as anybody, and when you can really get him and Cash' (Blake Cashman) out there at the same time, they both can really play to their strengths. They're both really good blitzers, Cash' is phenomenal in coverage and reading the quarterback, and when you can kind of pair those guys together, run and pass, that's when we're at our best, considering [Joshua] Metellus, Harry (Harrison Smith), and Cam [Bynum], their impact from the safety position.
"So, pair all that with — you see the impact in Andrew Van Ginkel's ability to drop [into coverage]. Now we're seeing it with Dallas [Turner]," O'Connell added. "[Jonathan] Greenard making a play on a screen, kind of sniffing that out. You're just seeing the versatility of the whole group."
