It was clear last Thursday when Harrison Smith was on crutches and in a walking boot that his status for Sunday’s Vikings-Jaguars game in Jacksonville was in jeopardy, but nobody considered the possibility of his season coming to a crashing halt.
But Smith’s season is now in question due to a “really bad, severe” ankle sprain, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.
#Vikings S Harrison Smith's high-ankle sprain is called "really bad" & "severe." No one ruling him out for '16 because he plays thru so much
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2016
The Pioneer Press reports that Smith has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 high ankle sprain. It’s the worst sprain one can suffer and includes a full tear of a ligament. It could lead to surgery, but for now his season will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis.
Smith is arguably Minnesota’s best defensive player and the key to the secondary.
It’s been a painful season for the Vikings, already losing starting players Teddy Bridgewater, Adrian Peterson, Matt Kalil, Andre Smith and Jake Long to injured reserve. Peterson might play again this season but the others are done for the year.
Not to mention defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd has yet to play this season.
#HarrisonSmith season in jeopardy.
Grade 3 high ankle sprain.
More likely surgery than return for regular season. https://t.co/XOpaWqhKLt— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 7, 2016
