Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings safety Harrison Smith got hit in 'very sensitive area,' prompting exit from Week 4 vs. Saints

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Oct 3, 2022 9:18 AM ET

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith is off to another fast start this season through three games, having recorded one interception, one pass defended, and 26 combined tackles, which ties him for third on the team.

As Andy Dalton led the New Orleans on the final drive in Sunday's Week 4 game in London, Smith was forced to leave the contest with an injury.

#Vikings Pro Bowl S Harrison Smith got hit in a *very sensitive area* in the final seconds of Sunday’s win over the #Saints, per source. That’s why he had to come out — stopping the clock, which he wasn’t trying to do. Smith may never have another child, but otherwise he’s fine.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 3, 2022

The good news, according to Pelissero, is that the injury doesn't appear serious. Smith has been a durable force for Minnesota since being drafted one decade ago with the 29th overall pick in 2012.

The 33-year-old has played in at least 13 games every season since 2015 and at least 15 contests every year since 2017. Smith made five straight Pro Bowls from 2015 through 2019 and earned his sixth Pro Bowl honor in 2021.

He was named First Team All-Pro in 2017 as well.

The Vikings -- who ended up winning the London game against the Saints 28-25 to move to 3-1 -- will take on the Chicago Bears in Week 5 at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

More must-reads: