Minnesota Vikings Harrison Smith in walking boot, crutches

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is one of the team’s few standouts on the defensive side of the ball, and his season-ending turf toe injury in 2013 made one of the league’s worst secondaries even more pitiful. The Vikings are stronger at the back end of their defense with the development of Xavier Rhodes and the addition of Captain Munnerlyn in the offseason, but Smith is still the unquestioned star of the defensive backfield. In fact, he might be the best player on the Vikings entire defense, as he is playing some extraordinary football this year.

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Unfortunately, Smith also suffered an injury in last night’s blowout loss to the rival Green Bay Packers, as he injured his ankle while blitzing (something Smith is very good at). According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s Master Tesfatsion, the 25-year-old Notre Dame product was spotted wearing a walking boot on his left foot, and he is also sporting crutches today. Per Tesfatsion, Smith stated that he’ll receive a more clear “evaluation” tomorrow, so Vikings fans will have to wait anxiously in order to hear the diagnosis.

So far this season, Smith has recorded 26 tackles, one sack, six passes defended, and three interceptions, including a pick yesterday. Each of his INTs have come in different games, and the man has simply been elite in coverage throughout the year. It’s time to start recognizing Smith as one of the league’s best all-around safeties, because he is crushing the competition this season.