Harrison Smith May Need Surgery For Turf Toe

Dec 30, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive back Harrison Smith (22) rests during an official time out in the second quarter of the game with the Green Bay Packers at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Concerns continue to mount about Harrison Smith and his health status for the remainder of the season. The star safety, who left Sunday’s game with a case of turf toe, was seen hobbling around Winter Park in a walking boot Wednesday, fueling speculation that he could miss at least the next game against the Giants. It’s now been confirmed that Smith will not play against New York, but things are looking even more dire than that after a Tom Pelissero report that Smith could need surgery.

Turf toe, a sprain of the ligament between the foot and the big toe, is a very painful injury that has been known to put players out of action sometimes for months. Normally the condition is treated with rest and/or anti-inflammatory medication but in certain rare cases, surgery is required. A quick check of the internet tells me that doctors normally only order up surgery for turf toe if a piece of bone has been broken off because of injury to the ligament or if the ligament is torn.

In other words, if Harrison Smith is being told he needs surgery, then this is an unusually bad case of turf toe. I have to believe we could be looking at a possible season-ending situation here if indeed the surgery is necessary. In light of this disaster, the Vikings have been bringing in safeties including former Colt Joe Lefeged and their own former UFA signing Brandan Bishop.

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