Two games in, one of the biggest mysteries of the 2025 season for the Minnesota Vikings has centered around longtime safety Harrison Smith and his health.
Smith was inactive for the Vikings' first two matchups of the 2025 campaign because of an unknown illness, and the team has been very tight-lipped when it has come to sharing any details about what the veteran defender has been dealing with.
Well, this upcoming Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals could finally be when Smith makes his 2025 debut, at least this is what NFL Media's Tom Pelissero indicated on Thursday during a radio appearance on KFXN-FM's "The Power Trip" show.
"With Harrison Smith, [it] seems like this is potentially the week for him to get back. Another guy who, if they really, really needed him, they probably could have pushed him out there.
[If he returns], I don't know that he's going to get a full boat in Week 3. Do they try to manage his reps at least a little bit? I know Harrison, once he gets on the field, is going to want to play 70 snaps.
But I do anticipate that, barring some type of setback, we may see him out there.”
Harrison Smith returning in Week 3 would be huge for the Minnesota Vikings
Every team around the NFL is full of talented players, some more than others, but there are typically at least a few members of each roster that opposing offenses and defenses have to worry about the most when stepping onto the field for a game.
For the Vikings in Week 3, one of their biggest priorities will be stopping the unbelievably talented Bengals receiver duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Containing this pair of pass-catchers will be difficult for Minnesota on Sunday, regardless, but Smith returning for the matchup would give the purple and gold defense a much-needed boost.
The Vikings' All-Pro safety has been in the NFL for 14 years, so he's essentially seen just about everything. Whatever physical limitations Smith has at his age (36), he makes up for them with his incredible smarts on the field.
Minnesota has caught a significant case of the injury bug already this season, and it has fans concerned about the team's chances on Sunday. But if Smith can make his 2025 debut this weekend, then that should make Vikings fans at least a little optimistic about the team leaving the field in Week 3 with a win over Cincinnati.