Cameron

Smith

The 2019 fifth-rounder appeared in five games as a rookie before missing all of last season when a heart condition was revealed after he tested positive for COVID. Smith then suffered a concussion in last weekend’s preseason opener, leading to his decision to hang up the cleats.

Smith doesn’t have veteran’s rights, so the Vikings are forced to waive him as a procedural move so that he can (presumably) clear waivers and revert to the team’s non-football injury list until healthy. Minnesota will still reportedly pay him his $675,000 salary for the season. A fifth-round pick last year, Smith played five games as a rookie and is expected to open the year on injured reserve to undergo open heart surgery.

Smith needs surgery after a heart condition was discovered when he tested positive for COVID-19. He’ll likely be moved to IR or opt out of the season. A fifth-rounder last year, Smith appeared in five games as a rookie. He plans to continue playing when healthy.

This is not the first time Smith has been waived by the Vikings, but he’s a candidate to land on the practice squad after being the No. 162 overall pick this offseason. The rookie linebacker needs to make a name for himself on special teams to stay on an active roster. In a corresponding move, the Vikings activated CB Holton Hill.

Smith was waived by the Vikings in August after being the No. 162 overall pick in the draft, but he was stashed on the practice squad. He’ll have to make a name for himself on special teams to stay on the active roster. The Vikings waived WR Davion Davis to make room for Smith.

Smith was a fifth-rounder this offseason, so it’s not a great look for all involved. At USC, Smith was a play-maker, but he struggled with injuries and consistent play. With a 90th-percentile vertical jump and 4.69-speed, Smith is a candidate for a practice squad.

Patriots received pick No. 162 and pick No. 239 as compensation. From playing against eighth-graders as a fourth-grader to earning Freshman All-American and honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors in his first season with the Trojans, Smith’s notoriety began at an early age. He mustered only 10 games in 2018, but still landed on the second-team all-conference list after leading USC with 81 tackles and four pass deflections. Smith flashed extremely athletic traits in Indy, too, measuring in the 90th-percentile in hand size and vertical jump while clocking a 4.69 40-time at the combine. He’ll fight to finish as a depth body out of camp with the Vikes.