Inside The Vikings

Harrison Smith, Brian O'Neill pop up on Vikings' Thursday injury report

It's not ideal when players are added to the report mid-week.
Will Ragatz|
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) reacts after intercepting a pass against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium.
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) reacts after intercepting a pass against the New York Giants during the second half at MetLife Stadium. | John Jones-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Vikings

Harrison Smith (hip) was added to the Vikings' injury report on Thursday as a DNP (did not participate in practice). Brian O'Neill (elbow) was also added to the report, although he was listed as a limited participant.

It's never great when players pop up on the injury report in the middle of the week, especially when it comes with a full absence from practice like in Smith's case. The Vikings have one more practice on Friday before they take on the 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.

The 35-year-old Smith, who is the Vikings' longest-tenured player, picked up his 35th career interception in Minnesota's Week 1 win over the Giants. He played every single defensive snap prior to a final garbage time series. If Smith can't go, Theo Jackson would be in line for a big role alongside Camryn Bynum and Josh Metellus in the Vikings' secondary.

O'Neill is set to see a lot of Nick Bosa on Sunday, so that would be a massive loss for the Vikings if he's unable to play. David Quessenberry is Minnesota's swing tackle. It's encouraging that O'Neill was at least able to practice in a limited capacity.

The good news for the Vikings is that OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) was upgraded from a DNP on Wednesday to limited on Thursday. One of their Week 1 stars appears to be making progress towards playing in Week 2.

There was no change in the status of Vikings WR Jordan Addison (DNP, ankle), C Garrett Bradbury (limited, knee), or WR Jalen Nailor (full participant, ankle). Addison still appears doubtful to play in this one, which will lead to a big role for Nailor. If Bradbury can't play, Dan Feeney is the Vikings' backup center.

Here's the full injury report.

Vikings-49ers Thursday injury report.
Vikings-49ers Thursday injury report. | Minnesota Vikings
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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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