Harrison Smith MIA from MN Vikings Camp

By    |  
Updated:
Follow Us
Harrison Smith - Minnesota Vikings Training Camp
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings first team offense and defense just completed one of the most important weeks of training camp, thanks to two joint practices on Wednesday and Thursday against the New England Patriots, who came to town a couple of days early for their week two preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday.

All of the healthy starters for both teams were out on the TCO Performance Center practice fields for both joint sessions, including two 2024 top 10 draft picks, in JJ McCarthy and Drake Maye. But there was one noticeable piece missing from the MN Vikings defensive core, 36-year-old safety, Harrison Smith.

In fact, the 13-year NFL veteran who Minnesota selected with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft hasn’t been seen at the Vikings’ practice facilities all week, according to the Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer.

Harrison Smith absent from Minnesota Vikings camp all week

There has been little reported as to why Harrison Smith has gone MIA. The closest thing to a report that I’ve seen came from the aforementioned Krammer, and it came during the latest episode of the Access Vikings podcast.

This week, Kevin O’Connell apparently told a few reporters, in passing, that Harry’s mysterious disappearance is due to an illness. Still, the extremely plugged-in Minnesota Vikings beat writer doesn’t seem all that confident in KOC’s diagnosis.

“Harrison Smith hasn’t been spotted at the facility by media, at least [not] by us, all week. So, I’m not sure what the deal is with that. Kevin O’Connell mentioned that it was an illness with Harrison, one that’s seemingly keeping him out of the facility.”

Andrew Krammer – Star Tribune

Let’s hope the future MN Vikings Ring of Honor inductee is okay. Whether it’s due to an illness or something else, something is clearly going on because this isn’t the week of practice that the leader of few words and a lot of action would skip just for veteran rest. If he could be available, Harrison Smith most certainly would be.

In 2024, Smith totalled 87 tackles (3 TFL), 1 sack and 10 passes defended, numbers that are still pretty on par with what he’s averaged throughout his legendary career in purple. Last time he was seen at practice on July 30, Harrison Smith was caught on camera stripping WR Jeshaun Jones, after a reception in the middle of the field.

Harry no longer the NFL hitman he once was?

While defensive coordinator Brian Flores may feature The Hitman all over the field, especially pre-snap, Smith actually played more snaps in pass coverage (612) than he has since 2021 (615).

After blitzing the quarterback a career high 99 times under Flores in 2023, Harry was sent just 48 times in 2024, much closer to his career average, according to Pro Football Focus.

Related: Insider Tabs MN Vikings Position Group as a Unit to Watch

The result? Harry’s lowest PFF grade (66.2) of any season where he’s played over 350 defensive snaps. From last year’s grades, it appears Smith can still play the run (76.5 PFF grade) and tackle (74.8 PFF) at a high level. It’s when he’s asked to blitz (54.7 PFF) or cover (64.1), where he’s seen the greatest decline.

Nonetheless, there is no doubt Harrison Smith makes the Minnesota Vikings better, which is why Kevin O’Connell and defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, were so happy to have their veteran safety back, when he decided to return for a 14th NFL season, this summer.

So, hopefully we see him on the sideline with his teammates Saturday afternoon.

Mentioned in this article:

More About:

0What do you think?Post a comment.