Vikings Face Uncertainty: Harrison Smith’s Health in Question, Andrew Van Ginkel’s Status Looking Up – Will They Be Ready for the Bears?

The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for their highly anticipated season opener against the Chicago Bears, but uncertainty looms over the health of two critical players: safety Harrison Smith and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel.

Smith, a veteran safety and cornerstone of the Vikings’ defense, has not practiced since August 11 due to a “personal health issue.”

Reports indicate that his status for the Monday night game remains uncertain, leaving fans and analysts alike on edge.

Ben Goessling, the Vikings beat reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune, provided some insight during a recent appearance on KFAN-FM 1003.

He stated, “We’ll see about Week 1. It’s not something that I expect to be terribly long term.”

Goessling emphasized that the Vikings did not place Smith on any injured list, whether it be injured reserve or the non-football injury list, suggesting that the team anticipates his return relatively soon.

However, the situation is still fluid, and it appears to be a “wait and see” scenario for Smith as kickoff approaches.

If Smith is unable to play, Theo Jackson is expected to step into the starting role alongside fellow safety Josh Metellus.

Jackson’s performance will be crucial if he is called upon to fill the void left by the experienced Smith, who has been a leader on the field for years.

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ defensive line is also monitoring the status of Andrew Van Ginkel, who had a standout season last year, being named a Second Team All-Pro after racking up 11.5 sacks and two interception returns for touchdowns.

Van Ginkel has not practiced since August 7 due to an undisclosed injury, raising concerns about his availability for the Bears game.

Goessling expressed optimism about Van Ginkel’s status, stating, “I think so,” when asked if he would be ready to play on Monday night.

He suggested that the Vikings have been exercising extreme caution with their star players during the preseason, particularly when the games do not count.

“I think they’ve been cautious with that, and we’ll get an injury report later this week,” Goessling noted.

“The approach in the preseason is one of extreme caution. So even longer absences typically indicate that they are mandating those rather than a serious injury.”

If Van Ginkel is cleared to play but is on a snap count, it could open the door for younger players like Dallas Turner or Chaz Chambliss to see increased action on the field.

The Vikings are undoubtedly hoping for the best regarding both players as they prepare for a critical matchup against their division rivals.

As the Vikings finalize their roster for the season opener, the health of Harrison Smith and Andrew Van Ginkel will be closely monitored.

With Smith’s experience and leadership on the line and Van Ginkel’s explosive playmaking ability, their contributions could be pivotal for Minnesota’s success this season.

Fans will be eagerly awaiting the latest injury reports as the game approaches, hoping for positive news that will bolster the Vikings’ chances against the Bears.

As the clock ticks down to kickoff, the anticipation builds, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for a team looking to make a statement in the NFC North.