Vikings injury updates: Alexander Mattison, Jordan Hicks, Akayleb Evans

Another week, another Vikings victory where they had to rely on their depth to step in when key players got banged up.

The Vikings lost three starters to injuries over the course of Sunday's game. RB Alexander Mattison suffered a concussion, LB Jordan Hicks had a lower-leg contusion, and CB Akayleb Evans had a calf injury.

Hicks has been one of the Vikings' best defensive players all season. Not only is he an important leader and the hub of communication as the guy who relays play calls from Brian Flores, the 31-year-old linebacker has also stuffed the stat sheet. He's the Vikings' leading tackler on the season and has an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown.

Early in Sunday's game, Hicks left the field and headed into the medical tent. He was briefly able to return, but then missed the remainder of the afternoon. It's unclear if he'll be available next weekend in Denver.

"We'll see how that swelling looks and if we can get that to go down," head coach Kevin O'Connell said.

With Hicks out, rookie Ivan Pace Jr. became the green dot player who took the calls from Flores. After the game, other defensive players spoke highly of the way Pace handled that responsibility. Troy Dye stepped in and got some snaps at LB in Hicks' absence.