Minnesota Vikings

Vikings' Harrison Smith downplays knee injury: 'Everybody's banged up'

Published Nov. 25, 2015 2:36 p.m. ET

foxsports

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith had to leave last week's matchup with the Green Bay Packers briefly, when an injury to his left knee forced him to the sideline for some quick medical attention.

Smith was back in the game on that bum knee in no time, as he's no fan of missing unnecessary time. On Wednesday, he downplayed the severity of his knee injury and expressed his desire to play in this Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, per Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press.

Harrison Smith: "At this point in the year everybody’s banged up so I’m just trying to get ready for Sunday." #Vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) November 25, 2015

The Vikings have gotten to 7-3 with good defense, and Smith may be the unit's most valuable player. He is an aggressive defender who leads the team with 54 tackles and is rarely beat in coverage.

Smith is one of Minnesota's biggest difference-makers, so the Vikings will certainly want him on the field against Atlanta Falcons and one of the NFL's best wide receivers in Julio Jones. Without him, the team will be noticeably short-staffed in the secondary.