Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr make early exits for Vikings

Harrison Smith and Anthony Barr both left the game early for the Vikings and may not return.

The Minnesota Vikings could be in for a very long day against Seattle after losing two of their top defensive players early in the contest.

Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr, who was already playing through a hand injury, went out in the first quarter after injuring his groin.

Harrison Smith, just returned from a knee injury that kept him out last week, went out with a bad hamstring.

Both players were listed as questionable to return.

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Did I mention that the Vikings were already without starting DT Linval Joseph? Trying to beat Seattle with three defensive starters out might be rough.

With Barr and Smith watching from the sidelines, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks used an array of screen passes and runs to easily drive down the field and score seven points.

The Vikings not only get a lot less athletic with Barr and Smith out, they also lose two of their better tacklers.

Bad tackling definitely aided the Seahawks in going up 7-0.

Now the Vikings will have to regroup defensively. And hope that their offense – which hasn’t looked very good in the early going – can put something together.

Help us Adrian Peterson, you’re our only hope.