Chargers can certainly relate to Vikings' tough-luck season
If anyone can relate to the frustration the Minnesota Vikings are feeling with their recent spate of close losses, it is the Los Angeles ChargersNOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
HARRISON SMITH #22 - SAFETY - MINNESOTA VIKINGS
64 TCKL •
2 INT •
1 SCK
64 TCKL
2 INT
1 SCK
Virus trouble for Vikings includes 1 player hospitalized
The Minnesota Vikings have been operating this week under the NFL’s intensive virus protocolsNOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
No change to Cook's status as Vikes RB faces assault lawsuit
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook maintains he was the victim in a fight last year with a former girlfriend suing him for personal injuryNOVEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Will miss another game Smith, who is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, will miss Sunday's game against the Chargers, head coach Mike Zimmer told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Impact Smith missed Sunday's game at Baltmore after being placed on the COVID-19 list. Unvaccinated players who test positive must be out a minimum of 10 days, which will cause him to miss two games. Cam Bynum started at safety in placed of Smith and had 12 tackles and an interception.
NOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Frustrated Vikings lament inability to win the close ones
The Minnesota Vikings keep losing close gamesNOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tucker's overtime kick gives Ravens 34-31 win over Vikings
Justin Tucker kicked a 36-yard field goal with 16 seconds left in overtime to give the Baltimore Ravens a 34-31 victory over the Minnesota VikingsNOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Likely tests positive, may sit twice Smith's placement on the reserve/COVID-19 list Sunday was believed to be the result of a positive test, based on the timing of the transaction and the fact that he was scheduled to...
Impact The Vikings announced Smith would be sidelined for Sunday's game in Baltimore just under two hours before kickoff. He became the third Vikings player to enter the COVID-19 protocol in the past four days, and though there could be a possibility that he was a close contact of an infected person, word that he'll require a retest points to him having tested positive already. Unless a subsequent retest indicates that the original result was a false positive, Smith is expected to remain away from the team for at least 10 days, given that he's been following the stricter protocols for unvaccinated players this season. With that in mind, the veteran safety is likely to remain out for the Vikings' Week 10 game against the Chargers on Nov. 14, in addition to Sunday's tilt with the Ravens.
NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Goes on COVID-19 list The Vikings placed Smith on the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to Sunday's game against the Ravens, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.
Impact Smith becomes the third Vikings player in the last four days to land on the list. The Vikings elevated Myles Dorn from the practice squad as a replacement on the roster for Smith, whose absence could hurt the Vikings as they look to slow down a high-powered Ravens ground attack. Minnesota is already down two of its other top defenders in cornerback Patrick Peterson (hamstring) and top pass rusher Danielle Hunter (pectoral), who both reside on injured reserve.
NOVEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rested offenses for Dallas and Minnesota could mean shootout
Rested and ready to light up the scoreboardOCTOBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vikings' pass defense faces daunting stretch, minus Peterson
Patrick Peterson has been a steadying influence on Minnesota's revamped secondary this seasonOCTOBER 27, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Another nine-stop day Smith notched nine tackles (eight solo) during Sunday's win over the Panthers.
Impact Smith has back-to-back games with nine stops under his belt, bringing him to 49 tackles (37 solo) on the season. Since the season-opener, Smith hasn't logged a single contest with less than eight total tackles.
OCTOBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Productive streak continues Smith managed nine tackles (five solo) and one pass breakup during Sunday's 19-17 win over the Lions.
Impact Smith has notched at least eight tackles in four straight games, bringing him to 40 total stops through five weeks. As usual, the veteran safety has also been an every-down contributor on defense. Smith will get a chance to continue racking up stats at Carolina in Week 6.
OCTOBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
With extra-confident Cousins, Vikings prep for potent Browns
Quarterback Kirk Cousins has shown the Minnesota Vikings a more confident leader this yearSEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Harrison Smith disrupts fourth-down pass in end zone Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith disrupts a fourth-down pass in the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • NFL.COM
Records sack in season opener Smith had six total tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss and a QB hit in Sunday's overtime loss at Cincinnati.
Impact Smith got off to a nice start on his recent four-year, $64 million extension, as he played on all 69 of the defense's snaps. It was also encouraging to see him involved in the pass rush, as he had just half a sack last season.
SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Vikings hope family reunion on defense sparks resurgence
The Minnesota Vikings have been trying to keep their window for championship contention pried open as long as possibleSEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rodgers return has Packers aiming higher than NFC North
Green Bay's division rivals undoubtedly had their hopes up that quarterback Aaron Rodgers would not return to the only franchise he's ever played forSEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
With last-chance vibe, Vikes aim to overcome early setbacks
The Minnesota Vikings have dealt with their share of drama with the regular season opener still more than a week awaySEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Signs four-year extension The Vikings signed Smith to a four-year, $64 million extension Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Impact The safety has been a key cog in Mike Zimmer's defense for years and will now reap the benefits. The deal will keep Smith attached to the Vikings for the next five years and will increase his 2021 salary to $22.5 million before it levels off to $15.3 million over the next three seasons. During the 2020 campaign, the 32-year-old posted 89 tackles and tied his career-high with five interceptions. This year, Harrison will lead a revamped secondary as Minnesota added veterans Bashaud Breeland, Xavier Woods and Patrick Peterson this offseason.
AUGUST 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Vikes sign 10th-year safety Harrison Smith to $64M extension
The Minnesota Vikings have signed five-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith to a four-year contract extensionAUGUST 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Eason, Colts eke past Vikings 12-10; offenses need more work
Jacob Eason passed for 132 yards and directed two field goal drives, as the Indianapolis Colts beat the Minnesota Vikings 12-10AUGUST 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vikings owner on league-low vax rate: 'We're very concerned'
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has been absent from practice this week due to COVID-19 protocolsAUGUST 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
With Cousins out for COVID protocol, QB shortage irks Zimmer
The Minnesota Vikings are facing a severe shortage of quarterbacks early in training campAUGUST 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vikes further bolster front by signing DT Sheldon Richardson
The Minnesota Vikings have signed defensive tackle Sheldon RichardsonJUNE 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Return of Anthony Barr a key upgrade for Vikings defense
One of the enhancements made to Minnesota's defense this year was the return of Anthony BarrMAY 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
