Vikings Work Out Safety Brandan Bishop, Are Clearly Worried About Harrison Smith

Oct 13, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) during the second quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

It’s time for us to start worrying about the health of Harrison Smith. The star safety had to come out of Sunday’s trainwreck against Carolina with what was later revealed to be a case of turf toe, and was seen Wednesday still hobbling around Winter Park in a walking boot. Smith ducked out on his media responsibilities and speculation immediately began mounting that it could be a severe case of turf toe, one that might put Smith on the shelf for a number of weeks.

The Vikings are clearly concerned about Smith and have spent the week trying out safeties in case they need to sign one for depth. Wednesday Aaron Wilson reported that the Vikings had brought in former Colt Joe Lefeged, a special teams ace and sometime starting defensive back who had kind of an interesting summer – traffic stop, fled the cops, weapons possession charges, you know the usual – and was cut by Indy four games into the season for slightly mysterious reasons.

Thursday morning Wilson tweeted that the Vikings have also brought in former NC State safety Brandan Bishop, a guy the team had in camp after signing him as a UFA.

Hopefully this is just a case of the team covering its bases in the event Smith will have to miss significant time, rather than an indication that they already know he will miss significant time. Because I don’t want to think about the Vikings having to play without Smith for a big chunk of the rest of the season. It’s already been miserable enough. We’re supposed to carry on without our best all-around defensive player? Bad news.

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