Vikings Injuries: Updates on Garrett Bradbury and Harrison Smith vs. Giants

Will the Minnesota Vikings have Garrett Bradbury and Harrison Smith on the field on Sunday for their playoff matchup against the New York Giants?

It’s been over a month since we last saw center Garrett Bradbury take the field for the Minnesota Vikings. Bradbury has been dealing with a back injury and his last appearance came during the team’s Week 13 win over the New York Jets.

But optimism seems to be building in regards to the veteran center returning to the field for Minnesota this weekend when they take on the New York Giants in the Wild Card round of the 2022 playoffs.

Bradbury was a limited participant in the Vikings’ practice on Wednesday, and on Thursday, he was listed as a full participant in the team’s practice. If he is able to fully participate in Minnesota’s practice again on Friday, then we should expect him to likely be back in the lineup for Sunday against the Giants.

Minnesota Vikings Injuries: Will Harrison Smith play vs. New York Giants?

Vikings safety Harrison Smith was among the handful of veteran players who weren’t active for the team’s regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears last week. Minnesota ruled Smith out for the Bears game due to “knee soreness,” and most figured that the team was just being a little extra cautious with one of their older players.

Well, Smith has been on the Vikings’ injury report this week with a knee injury, and it caused him to be a limited participant in both of Wednesday and Thursday’s practice sessions.

If the veteran safety is able to practice on Friday, even if it’s still as a limited participant, there seems to be a good chance that he will be on the field for Minnesota on Sunday when they open up the playoffs against New York.

If he doesn’t practice on Friday, then the Vikings could be without one of their top defenders this weekend, and Josh Metellus would likely get the start against the Giants.