SEATTLE - The Vikings will be without veteran safety Harrison Smith on Sunday afternoon against the Seahawks. Fullback C.J.
Ham, who was also listed as questionable, will play. This is the first game since Week 18 of the 2022 season that Smith, who’s in his 13th year in the league, has missed. He’d appeared in 32 straight regular-season or postseason games since then.
Smith was questionable entering the game with a foot injury. He suffered his foot injury in the Vikings' Monday night win over the Bears and went through an adjusted practice schedule , participating in limited fashion Wednesday and Friday but not at all Thursday. Theo Jackson will likely play the most snaps in Smith’s absence, though the Vikings also elevated Bobby McCain from their practice squad.
Jackson said this week that he takes the majority of his practice reps filling in for Smith, though he knows all three roles. The Vikings return cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who’d missed the previous two games with a hamstring strain. That will come in handy as cornerback Fabian Moreau (hip), who’d been filling in for Gilmore, was ruled out Friday.
Defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (concussion) was also ruled out at the end of the practice week. Also out for the Vikings are quarterback Brett Rypien (emergency third QB), tight end Nick Muse, center Dan Feeney and offensive tackle Walter Rouse. Six players are inactive for the Seahawks: cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett, tight end Brady Russell, linebacker Patrick O.