On Thursday afternoon, Minnesota Vikings fans were hit with a moment of concern when safety Harrison Smith appeared on the injury report with a foot injury. This news came as a surprise to many, as Smith had been healthy throughout the entire season and had been playing at a high level.

When the final injury report was released on Friday, Smith was listed as questionable for the upcoming game, raising further uncertainty. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the situation, explaining that the injury likely stemmed from Monday night’s game against the Chicago Bears.

“It came out of the game,” O’Connell said. “We normally are smart with the work week for him, and just kind of with how our workload on a shorter week kind of came up, it was best to kind of go limited, DNP, limited. So it was all part of the plan from the early part of the week.”

Despite the initial concerns, word came just 90 minutes before kickoff that Smith would not be playing in the game due to the foot injury. His absence was a blow to the defense, but the Vikings showed resilience in overcoming it. Theo Jackson, who stepped in to replace Smith, played a pivotal role, securing the game-sealing interception with less than a minute remaining.

After the game, O’Connell was asked about Smith’s health and provided an optimistic update. He emphasized that the decision to sit Smith out was based on game-day evaluations and the importance of ensuring Smith’s long-term health.

“It was truly a game-day decision with him, and Harrison (Smith) is a guy that sometimes you’ve got to make the decision to sit him down. Otherwise, he’s going to go. And we knew he was dealing with some significant soreness that just kind of never turned over, but we’re expecting him to be fine and be ready to roll this week.”

O’Connell’s comments highlighted the difficult decisions that coaches must make, especially when it comes to prioritizing a player’s well-being. Smith’s willingness to play through pain is a testament to his toughness, but ultimately, the decision was made to ensure that he would be fully ready for future games, especially with the long stretch of the season ahead.

The good news for the Vikings is that Smith is expected to be back in action for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers. His return is crucial, as the Packers are known for their diverse passing attack, and Smith’s experience and leadership in the secondary will be key in shutting down Green Bay’s offensive weapons.

In addition to Smith’s potential return, there is also optimism surrounding inside linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. He could also be cleared to play on Sunday after dealing with a hamstring injury that he sustained in the Vikings’ first matchup against the Bears. His return would add another layer of strength to the defense as they prepare to face the Packers.

As the Vikings continue to fight for playoff positioning, having Smith and potentially Pace back in the lineup would be a huge boost to their defense, which will be critical in their pursuit of a successful season. With both players expected to be ready to roll for Sunday, the Vikings will look to extend their momentum and continue their push for a postseason berth.