The injury-ridden Minnesota Vikings could be losing another important player to a season-ending ailment.
According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, safety Harrison Smith is dealing with a high ankle sprain that could cause the Pro Bowler to miss the rest of the 2016 season. He suffered the injury during Minnesota’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday night.
According to Tomasson’s source, Smith has a “grade 3 sprain” in his left ankle that may require surgery. No operation is planned, as the Vikings first want to monitor the injury “on a week-to-week basis.”
The Vikings are currently 6-6 and in second place in the NFC North. A team that started 5-0 has been ravaged by injury, with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, running back Adrian Peterson and tackles Matt Kalil, Phil Loadholt, Andre Smith and Jake Long all on injured reserve.
A Pro Bowler last season, Smith leads the Vikings with 84 total tackles in 2016. He also has two sacks.
Minnesota made Smith the NFL’s highest paid safety this past summer with a five-year, $51.25 million deal, which included almost $30 million guaranteed.
The Vikings play the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
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