Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings are just days away from their Week 1 contest against the Chicago Bears. Their first injury report of the season left something to be desired. The second brought an infinite amount of hope.
Kevin O’Connell’s squad has looked the part of a team on the rise this offseason. If J.J. McCarthy can do his job, then the NFC North will be in contention, and a Super Bowl might not be far-fetched.
The two most important players on the injury report got a boost on Friday. That provides a significant impact as games that count loom.
Chicago Bears to face the best of Minnesota Vikings
Andrew Van Ginkel returned to practice for the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday. He had experienced an extended absence. Harrison Smith and Christian Darrisaw continued to carry question marks. They have now seemingly been erased.
Christian Darrisaw was upgraded to a full participant and Harrison Smith upgraded to a limited participant.
The #Vikings held a walkthrough today and the report is an estimation. pic.twitter.com/Sv53qfNsa7
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 5, 2025
This entire preseason has seen Darrisaw continue to remain a key participant. Sure, it stinks that he underwent knee surgery for a season-ending injury last year. There was ample time to get ready for Week 1 though. It appears he’ll be locked in to protect McCarthy’s blindside out of the gate.
Harrison Smith has had the most mysterious malady of the offseason. It has been classified as an illness, and we have no idea on specifics. Maybe we never will, and his miraculous return after a month on the shelf basically makes him reincarnate.
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Both players represent key pieces of the Vikings gameplan. Justin Skule is a veteran backup, but he isn’t close to what Darrisaw can do as a tackle. Smith is ushering in Theo Jackson as a starter alongside him on the back end of the defense. To dictate that production from the sideline would be a substantial ask.
Although both players underwent a weird level of availability in the leadup to the regular season, it would be awesome for neither to experience and setbacks the rest of the way.
Mentioned in this article: Christian Darrisaw Harrison Smith More About:Minnesota Vikings