From the moment the Minnesota Vikings brought Harrison Smith back to the team, a short transition period was inevitable, but that moment is coming soon.
Smith spent training camp at home before deciding whether to return for another season. Jamal Adams' horrific preseason injury against the New York Giants made it clear to the Vikings that they wanted Smith back, and that ended up being the case.
While the Vikings fan base may not be thrilled with how Smith has looked with limited reps so far, it's been great to see him back for what could be his final year in the NFL. Early signs, though, suggest Smith's breakout game could be coming soon.
Harrison Smith is about to have his signature performance with Minnesota Vikings soon
In the Vikings' Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers, Smith appeared in 26 snaps, racking up one tackle, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hit. In the Week 2 victory over the Bears, Smith improved, playing 27 snaps and recording three tackles while allowing only 10 receiving yards on two receptions.
Pro Football Focus has him graded 50.4 overall, ranking him 62nd among 84 qualified NFL safeties. He also has a coverage grade of 51.8, ranking 57th, and a run-defense grade of 61.6, ranking 59th. Smith has allowed a passer rating of 97.5 for the season and 9.3 yards per reception on four catches.
The Vikings saw a similar slow start from Smith last season, too, as it took him a bit to find a rhythm. Smith's breakout game didn't come until Christmas against the Detroit Lions, when he got three tackles, three pass deflections, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and one interception.
Minnesota's defense is finding its stride early in the season, which should build confidence as the season progresses. The Vikings have had their ups and downs in the secondary, going from allowing over 350 passing yards against the Packers to holding the Bears to 163 yards.
Smith may not make the plays that stand out on a stat sheet, but he brings a different element to the Vikings' defense that is needed. His experience in defensive coordinator Brian Flores' scheme gives the coach someone he can trust on the field to run the right play and get the job done.
While it's only been two weeks since the league started its regular season, that doesn't mean the Vikings' defense has reached its full potential, including Smith. The more snaps he gets, the more confidence he gets on the field. It's bound to happen that Vikings fans see him go off in a game, and it could happen soon.
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