Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith has agreed to a restructured contract and will play his 13th season with the Minnesota Vikings at age 35 in 2024, according to sources. Smith was the 29th overall pick in 2012 by the Vikings out of Notre Dame. He has 34 career interceptions and has become one of the best safeties of his era in the NFL. Smith set a career-high in defensive snaps played last year and had 93 tackles (60 solo), a career-high-tying three sacks, six QB hits and three forced fumbles in 17 starts. It was good enough to place him at No. 35 in overall fantasy points among defensive backs in IDP setups. While not necessarily an every-week starter in those fantasy formats, Smith has remained productive well into his 30s and can be a streamer at the defensive back position.
Harrison Smith Restructures Contract To Remain In Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings and safety Harrison Smith agreed to a restructured contract on Thursday for him to remain with the team, and he'll get $8 million in 2023 with $2 million available in incentives. Smith will return in 2023 for his 12th year with the Vikings. The six-time Pro Bowler finished last year with 85 tackles (66 solo), a career-high-tying five interceptions, 10 passes defensed and a forced fumble in 14 regular season starts. The 34-year-old had a career-high 114 total tackles in 2021, so he remains relevant as a starting defensive back in IDP fantasy leagues.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith ($19.1 million salary cap hit in 2023) could be asked by the team to restructure his contract this offseason or take a pay cut. Smith is expected to remain with the organization in 2023, even if it's with a reworked salary. The biggest cap casualty for the Vikings could be two-time Pro Bowl receiver Adam Thielen. Smith remained valuable in IDP formats in 2022, posting 85 tackles (66 solo), 10 passes defensed and five interceptions in 14 regular season games. However, it was the first time since the 2016 season that the 34-year-old played in fewer than 15 games in a season. Smith is so valuable to Minnesota's defense because of his versatility as a defensive back.
Harrison Smith, Kene Nwangwu Will Play In Wild Card Round
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (knee) and running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (illness) are both active for Sunday's playoff game against the New York Giants. Smith, 33, played in 13 games this regular season, logging 84 tackles, one forced fumble, and five interceptions. Meanwhile, Nwangwu registered a league-leading 35 kick returns for 920 yards (and one touchdown). Both players will look to make an impact in this pivotal win-or-go-home game for Minnesota.
Harrison Smith, Za'Darius Smith Won't Suit Up Sunday
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (knee) and pass rusher Za'Darius Smith (personal) are both inactive for Week 18 against the Chicago Bears. The former had been ruled out ahead of time while the latter was questionable. Harrison Smith finishes the regular season with 84 tackles, five interceptions, and one forced fumble through 14 games. Meanwhile, Za'Darius Smith registered 44 tackles, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles over the course of 16 contests.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (knee) has been ruled out for the Week 18 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The 33-year-old got in a full week of practice, but began feeling soreness in his knee on Friday. The organization is going to be cautious ahead of the postseason. The Bears aren't playing for anything, but the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. That being said, it sounds like a good idea for the Vikings to give Smith a day off and let him get 100 percent for the postseason.
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (concussion) will be sidelined for the team's Week 3 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Smith suffered a concussion in Week 2's Monday night loss to the Eagles. On a short week, Smith was unable to clear the concussion protocol. The Vikings will hope to have their former All-Pro back for Week 4, but in the meantime, he will be replaced by either Josh Metellus or rookie Lewis Cine. Either way, this is a big loss to Minnesota's secondary and a boost to Jared Goff and his weapons for fantasy this week.
Harrison Smith Activated, Patrick Peterson Designated For Return
The Minnesota Vikings activated safety Harrison Smith from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and designated cornerback Patrick Peterson (hamstring) to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday. It's great news for the Vikings secondary ahead of an important divisional clash with the Green Bay Packers this weekend, although Peterson isn't guaranteed to return in Week 11 after going on IR in mid-October. The 32-year-old Smith will return to being a weekly IDP consideration with 58 total tackles, one sack and a forced fumble this year. Smith missed the Vikings last two games while being on the league's COVID-19 list.
Harrison Smith Expected Back With The Team Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is expected to be back with the team on Wednesday after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list last week. He has missed the previous two games since being placed on the COVID-19 list in Week 8. The 32-year-old will be cleared soon and could return to the team as soon as Wednesday. Smith has been one of the top safeties in IDP leagues, racking up 58 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble over seven games in 2021.
The Minnesota Vikings placed safety Harrison Smith on the Reserve/COVID-19 list on Sunday morning, and he will not play in Week 9 against the Baltimore Ravens. In a corresponding move, the team elevated Myles Dorn from the practice squad to the active roster. Already shaky on the defensive side of the football, Baltimore's offense could have a field day coming off their Week 8 bye. Wide receivers Marquise Brown and Rashod Bateman could both have big days, as the Vikings also remain without cornerback Patrick Peterson (hamstring) and their top pass-rusher in defensive end Danielle Hunter (pectoral), who is out for the season. Smith, a popular starting safety in IDP leagues, must be removed from all starting lineups.
