WARE, ENGLAND – This is safety Harrison Smith‘s fifth trip to London for a Vikings game. As teammates explore the sights and sounds of all the tourist attractions, Smith said he’s not interested.
But will Smith return to another familiar place: the starting lineup? Smith has come off the bench and played just 39 defensive snaps — 22 against the Bengals and 17 against the Steelers — since returning from a two-game absence to start the season.
Like a veteran in his 14th season, Smith did not tip his hand before Sunday’s first snap against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“I’m not sure yet,” Smith said. “Kind of like I said the past couple weeks, I’ve been feeling like myself.”
Smith, 36, has eased back into action following a roughly monthlong absence from practices, which began in early August due to a personal health matter that he has chosen to keep private. He was removed from the injury report last week before the loss to the Steelers.
“I think he’s going to get pretty close to that normal workload,” O’Connell said, “and that will allow us to be a little more versatile with Josh [Metellus], kind of some of the ways we’ve played historically personnel wise, and allow guys to really fit into roles that are pretty powerful for us.”
The only three games Smith hasn’t started are the Vikings’ most recent two games and one in 2013 when he returned from a severe turf toe injury.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores said Smith’s role has been “where we want it.” He added Metellus and safety Theo Jackson “are playing well, too.”
“It’s funny,” Flores said. “My boys are like, ‘Why isn’t he playing as much?’ You can’t just throw somebody into an NFL game. … What they don’t see is the preparation that goes into getting ready for NFL games and an NFL season, and he missed a big chunk. Without that, we’ve got to be smart about our usage with him.”
“Not that I’m taking his spot, but I grew up watching 22,” Metellus said. “Anytime he’s not on the field, I remember I used to pray that I got a chance to play with him before he was done.”
“I’m really just getting old,” he added. “That’s what it is. To see myself to be on that other side of the spectrum, where 22 is out here giving me tips, encouraging me to take that next step and be that guy.”
“Playing every snap, you kind of tend to get in a flow a little bit easier,” Smith said. “Trying to figure that out. It’s not like rocket science or anything, but it’s about staying warm on the sideline, being alert and ready whenever I’m wanted.”
Nine players — or about 17% of the Vikings’ active roster — did not practice Thursday due to injuries or rest to manage past injuries.
Outside linebacker Dallas Turner has an illness and did not practice. Turner and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) were not seen during the roughly 15-minute portion of practice open to reporters. Van Ginkel is not expected to play against the Browns.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard, who has one sack in four games, was asked if Van Ginkel’s absence has led to more blockers assigned to him.
“I know we miss him,” said Greenard, who added he will always “expect anything and everything to be thrown at me.”
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whom O’Connell said he hoped would practice by “Thursday or Friday” this week, continued to be held out. He watched from the sideline. McCarthy has not practiced since his Sept. 14 right ankle sprain.
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Jerry Holt/The Minnesota Star Tribune
The Hall’s Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee considering players whose last season was 2000 or before is tasked with trimming the field from 52 to nine.