The Big Vikings Plot Twist for Harrison Smith
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith, who enters Year No. 14 in 2025, won’t factor in Monday night’s plans at Soldier Field.
Vikings safety Harrison Smith is at the center of a surprising plot twist that changes the Week 1 dynamic. Here’s what it means for Minnesota.
The perhaps future Hall of Famer was ruled out over the weekend, meaning the Vikings will have to rely on more youthful options as the 2025 campaign gets off the ground.
Vikings Hit with Harrison Smith’s Absence
Monday Night Football won’t quite be the same.
Harrison Smith Out Week 1
Smith is officially out Monday night, and all things regarding his status will now pivot to Week 2 at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Sunday, “The Vikings listed safety Harrison Smith as doubtful to play on Monday night when they handed in their injury report on Saturday and they removed any doubt about his status on Sunday.”
“Smith did not travel with the team to Chicago and he has been ruled out of the matchup with the Bears. Smith is listed with an illness and he had been out of practice for a stretch before returning to the field this week.”
Smith actually practiced Friday in a limited capacity, increasing hope that the 36-year-old might play in Week 1, but the Vikings will operate under an abundance of caution.
No Practice since August 11
The last few weeks have been a slow burn involving Smith’s health. He hasn’t practiced in nearly a month and didn’t partake in any preseason games, though Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell mostly rests starters anyway.
One source told VikingsTerritory a couple of weeks ago that Smith was battling a hernia. Another adjusted that intel to a different “H word” — hemorrhoids.
In any event, the Vikings have coined Smith’s ailment a personal matter, and both conditions fit the criteria.
Smith’s First Week 1 Absence Ever
Smith has never missed a Week 1 game, so if his absence feels weird on Monday night, it’s for a good reason.
In fact, the beloved defender hasn’t missed more than three games in a season since his second year — all the way back in 2023 — featured by various Minnesota defensive coordinators as a beacon of durability. It’s one of Smith’s signatures and is especially noteworthy, considering his hard-hitting play style, particularly in his younger days.
Next Man Up?
Without Smith, Minnesota will lean heavily on Josh Metellus, the team’s Swiss Army knife, and newly-appointed starter Theo Jackson, who has taken over for Camryn Bynum, now a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
Defensive boss Brian Flores also has third-year safety Jay Ward on his depth chart, in addition to newcomers Tavierre Thomas, K’Von Wallace (practice squad), and Kahlef Hailassie (practice squad). Thankfully, Smith’s absence doesn’t seem incredibly long-term, so the fixes on Monday Night Football should be patchwork and temporary.
More on Smith
Daily Norseman‘s Christopher Gates opined on Smith’s absence: “The team announced just moments ago that safety Harrison Smith will not travel with the team to Chicago today and has been downgraded to ‘out’ for the contest.”
“Smith has only practiced once since the 11th of August, as he has been dealing with some sort of personal health issue. He did return to practice earlier this week, but it wasn’t a realistic expectation for him to play tomorrow night. The good news is that Smith is making progress from whatever the issue is that he’s dealing with and will, hopefully, be back as soon as possible.”
The Vikings remain favorites to topple the Bears by a point or two, despite Smith’s status.
“With Smith’s absence, the Vikings will likely be using a lot more of Theo Jackson at the safety spot. Jackson signed a contract extension with the team during the offseason and the thinking is that he’s going to be a bigger part of the defense going forward,” Gates added.
“The team also has veteran K’Von Wallace on the practice squad, so they could bring him up if they need depth at the position as well. Once again, safety Harrison Smith has been declared ‘out’ for Monday Night Football and will not travel with the team for the contest.”
Smith is a six-time Pro Bowler.
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