Akiem Hicks Fantasy Stats

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to have both defensive linemen Akiem Hicks (foot) and Vita Vea (foot) for the Monday night game against the New Orleans Saints, according to sources. Both players were listed as questionable for Week 13, but the Bucs should have both on defense on Monday. Hicks has only played in five games this year due to injury. Having both Hicks and Vea active against the Saints will be a big boost to a defensive unit that is already a strong play this week in fantasy lineups. Vea was a first-time Pro Bowler last year and has 28 tackles (13 solo), seven tackles for loss, 11 QB hits, a career-high 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble in his 11 starts this season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (foot) tore the plantar fascia in his foot in the Week 2 win over the division-rival New Orleans Saints and is now expected to be out for a month, according to a source. It's a blow to the interior of Tampa's defensive line moving forward, starting with a Week 3 date with the Green Bay Packers. With the 32-year-old sidelined, rookie second-rounder Logan Hall will have a chance to see increased playing time early in his first NFL season. Hicks played 58 percent of the team's defensive snaps in the Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys, and he racked up five tackles (two solo) and one QB hits through the first two weeks before injuring his foot.

Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks reached an agreement on Tuesday on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to a source. Hicks comes to Tampa after playing in only nine games in his sixth and final season with the Bears. The 32-year-old defensive lineman finished with 25 tackles (19 solo), five tackles for loss, nine QB hits and 3.5 sacks in 2021. He'll joined a stacked Tampa defensive line that also includes Vita Vea and second-rounder Logan Hall. Hicks' addition probably means that Ndamukong Suh's time with the Bucs is over. Hicks was a Pro Bowler for Chicago in 2018 and has 40.5 career sacks in 10 NFL seasons after the New Orleans Saints originally drafted him in the third round in 2012 out of Regina.

The Chicago Bears removed defensive tackle Akiem Hicks from the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday, and he will be available to play in Week 17 against the New York Giants. Hicks went on the COVID list last Thursday and was forced to miss the Week 16 win over the Seattle Seahawks. The Bears star defensive tackle has struggled to stay on the field this year and hasn't been an option for fantasy managers in IDP leagues because of it, most recently missing four games with an ankle injury. But his return will be a big boost for a Bears defense facing an anemic Giants offense led by quarterbacks Mike Glennon and Jake Fromm. Hicks ranks fourth on the Bears with 3.5 sacks in seven games in 2021.

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest vs. the Raiders. Hicks' absence is a sizable blow to the Bears defense, potentially paving the way for Josh Jacobs and other Las Vegas running backs to enjoy a strong game on the ground. After Hicks left Chicago's Week 4 matchup after just one play, Angelo Blackson stepped in to draw a 68 percent share of defensive snaps, adding five combined tackles and one quarterback hit. Even without Hicks, Chicago's defense retains its sizable season-long and DFS intrigue due to the sheer playmaking ability among its linebacking core and secondary. Hicks' next opportunity to suit up comes next Sunday against Green Bay.

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks said he'll "do everything in my power" to stay with the team for the rest of his career, despite the Bears giving him permission to seek a trade in the offseason. The 31-year-old is in the final year of his deal and has a $10.4 million base salary and wants a contract extension. But the two sides are currently in a stalemate. In his sixth season with the Bears, Hicks had three tackles, half a sack and two QB hits in 40 defensive snaps in the Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The one-time Pro Bowler finished with 49 tackles (30 solo), 21 QB hits, 3.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in 15 starts for the Bears in 2020. He's only viable in IDP leagues that have a separate starting slot for defensive tackles.

Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (elbow) has been ruled out for Week 16 against the Chiefs on Sunday night. Hicks was activated from Injured Reserve before Week 15, and he played 36 of 59 snaps against the Packers. Hicks' absence is a notable loss for a strong Chicago defensive front, and his absence will certainly be an upgrade for Kansas City's running back, which will now feature Damien Williams (ribs), Spencer Ware, Darwin Thompson and LeSean McCoy. It's anyone's guess as to who will have the better game and see the most touches in this crowded backfield. Chicago obviously has a tough task against the Chiefs explosive offense.