Surprise Hits Vikings Injury Report
Until Christmas Day, it seemed pretty straightforward that long-time Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith would be ready for the Week 17 tilt with the Green Bay Packers.
Surprise Hits Vikings Injury Report
There’s still a decent chance that Smith, a 13-year NFL veteran, will play Sunday, but Wednesday’s injury report dampened the guaranteed nature of that forecast.
The Vikings released their first injury report of the week on Christmas, and Smith was listed as “did not participate.” Many believed he’d practice in full or at least participate in a limited fashion. But no cigar. Minnesota evidently didn’t have a formal practice because of the holiday.
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling explained via tweet, “Neither the Vikings nor the Packers practiced on Christmas Day, so the first injury report is an estimate for both teams. Both Fabian Moreau and Harrison Smith, who were out Sunday, were DNPs in the estimated report.”
So, all eyes will turn to Thursday’s injury report regarding Smith, hoping he at least participates a little bit to avoid a dreaded consecutive DNP.
The Vikings are cruising through the regular season with a 13-2 record, separated from homefield advantage throughout the playoff by two more wins. If Minnesota topples the Packers at home this weekend and the Detroit Lions after that, it will play every eligible postseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis tweeted after Sunday’s win at the Seattle Seahawks: “Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said Harrison Smith’s injury is very short term. They’re expecting to have him for GB. Also sounds like Ivan Pace Jr.’s return is looming.”
The good news? Smith’s injury isn’t long-term, and the Christmas DNP might’ve been procedural.
It’s also worth noting that Smith could be winding down his career. The veteran defender will turn 36 in February — ancient by NFL standards — and retirement is near. He’s played wonderfully this season, so he’ll have to decide if 2024, 2025, or 2026 is his last. In fact, if Smith has retirement plans, there’s a world where Sunday’s Vikings-Packers showdown is his last game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vegas line between the Vikings and Packers flipped this week from Minnesota as a 1.5 favorite to the Green Bay by one. Folks evidently wagered hardcore on the Packers.
The Vikings’ current 13-2 record is their best through 15 weeks since the 1998 season. Few expected the team to tally such a record, and in fact, sportsbooks claimed Kevin O’Connell’s team would win just six or seven games.
Ivan Pace Jr., who missed four games on injured reserve, is expected to return for Sunday’s game.
Ex-Vikings Playmaker Heads to the Champs
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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