The Facts: Looking to bolster their kick return game and running back depth, the Vikings signed Hicks to a three-year contract. Hicks said he doesn't know his exact role yet, but he is expected to take over as the Vikings' primary kick returner. "I know my role on special teams," he said. "I'll talk to the coaches and see what they have in store for me."
Diehards Line:According to Pioneer-Press staffer Don Seeholzer, Hicks also said coaches have told him they plan to use him in the offense a little bit, even though he will be behind Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor on the depth chart. ... Hicks has five career kickoff returns of 50-plus yards and holds the two top kickoff return yardage totals in 49ers history. The move comes a day after the Vikings lost their No. 3 back and return man, Mewelde Moore, to Pittsburgh.