National Football League

Smith's ankle injury adds to Vikings' list

Published Oct. 3, 2014 4:49 p.m. ET

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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith has an injured left ankle that had him with a walking boot and crutches Friday.

Smith played through the injury Thursday at Green Bay, but he had the ankle taped several times throughout the night. Coach Mike Zimmer said Friday that Smith had an MRI test that showed no major damage but that it was too soon to determine his availability for the next game. The Vikings host Detroit Oct. 12.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is expected to play against the Lions after sitting out in Green Bay because of a sprained left ankle. Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has been bothered by a hip injury, but Zimmer said ''he should be fine'' for the next game.

In another sign that Bridgewater will be ready, quarterback Chandler Harnish was released Friday after less than a week with the team. Fullback Zach Line was signed to the active roster from the practice squad.

Linebacker Chad Greenway, who missed his second straight game with three broken ribs, said he's unsure if he'll be ready to return against Detroit. He said ''no way'' would he have been able to play at Green Bay even if the game was Sunday.

Greenway has also been playing with a broken hand, but the ribs are the biggest problem. He revealed Friday the extent of the injury.

''Nobody wants to play football more than I do right now, but it's one of those deals that if you don't get them right, they'll keep showing up,'' Greenway said.

Greenway played through the pain for a while, but in Sept. 21 game at New Orleans he was rendered largely ineffective.

''I wasn't able to do my job in taking punches, getting off blocks and making tackles,'' Greenway said, proceeding to list the activities that cause discomfort: ''Running. Walking. Sneezing. Coughing. Laughing. Time is the only thing that can kind of cure it.''

He added: ''I have to get healthy before I can go do more damage to it. We're not going to a walk in the park. We're playing NFL linebacker.''

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