Harrison

Smith

Fanatics’ social media account broke the news, saying James suffered the injury “earlier in the week prior to reporting to the Fanatics Flag Football Classic.” He will be replaced in the lineup by free agent S Harrison Smith, the longtime Viking. We sure would like to know if the injury occurred while training for the flag football tournament, but that part remains unclear. James was set to play for Team Wildcat alongside former and current NFL players, including Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk and Rams WR Davante Adams. We wish all involved good health. Hopefully, we get clarification on James’ injury before long.

It’ll be a post-June 1 release, freeing up $1.3 million in cap space. The Vikings want Smith back, per Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Ben Goessling, but the 37-year-old hasn’t yet made a decision on if he’ll play this season. Smith managed a 68.9 PFF grade in 2025 but dealt with illness early in the season and played just 793 snaps, the lowest total he’s appeared in since 2013.

Per Rapoport, safety Harrison Smith is also expected to make his 2025 debut this week after missing the first two games of the year with an illness. Darrisaw is still working his way back from the torn ACL he suffered last year and, as Rapoport notes, will rotate on and off the field for his first game of the season. Still, it’s good news for a Minnesota squad set to be without J.J. McCarthy for a few weeks while he nurses an ankle injury. Darrisaw will be protecting Carson Wentz’s blindside until McCarthy is healthy.

Journeyman QB Carson Wentz starts in McCarthy’s stead. He is a boom-bust QB2 option against a soft Bengals defense. Vikings C Ryan Kelly and backup LT Justin Skule both suffered concussions in Week 2. Neither player cleared the protocol. On the plus side, LT Christian Darrisaw (knee), S Harrison Smith (illness) and LB Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) are questionable to play in Week 3 against the Bengals.

Smith was listed on the injury report with an illness, ultimately ruled inactive with a personal designation. Darrisaw will have to wait another week before he makes his season debut. The Vikings will look to continue their fourth-quarter momentum against the Bears as they take on the Falcons.

Smith hasn’t given much detail on his illness but did say on Thursday he expects to be back in less than three weeks. It’s safe to assume he will miss Week 2, but a Week 3 return to face the Bengals isn’t out of the cards. Theo Jackson and Josh Metellus will start at safety for Minnesota this week.

Darrisaw’s participation status on Friday is not yet known but he did manage to practice in full on Wednesday before being downgraded to limited on Thursday. He could return in Week 3. The Vikings also ruled out LB Andrew Van Ginkel and CB Jeff Okudah. Vikings S Harrison Smith (illness) is questionable to play against the Falcons.

Smith declined to go into detail about the injury other than to say it was “physical” as opposed to a mental health matter. “We’re kind of fluid with if I’m ready to go or not, and if I am going to help the team or not,” Smith told reporters. The veteran safety seems unlikely to play in Week 2, but could be a consideration for Week 3 or Week 4.

O’Connell said S Harrison Smith (illness) will join Darrisaw in the ramp-up process. Smith has been dealing with some sort of health issue since late August and should not be considered a lock to suit up in Week 2. Darrisaw continues to rehab his ACL and MCL injuries from last year. Vikings LB Blake Cashman and RB Ty Chandler “will miss some time” after suffering injuries in Week 1. Both LB Andrew Van Ginkel and CB Jeff Okudah are in the concussion protocol.

This is concerning for Smith, who has “partially participated in one practice” since August 11, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. NBC Sports’ ProFootballTalk reported on August 28 that Smith is “dealing with a personal health issue and is expected to make a full recovery.” He sat out on Wednesday before practicing in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. Hopefully, Smith is healthy enough to play next week.