Even in victory, the Minnesota Vikings are finding out how quickly a promising start to the season can be tested by adversity. Their 27-24 Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears showed glimpses of toughness but also revealed an enduring truth: injuries and health issues still plague this roster. While some bumps and bruises are the price of admission to a Monday night brawl, there has been one concern on Minnesota’s mind much longer. All-Pro safety continued recuperation from a personal health setback, which remains uncertain for Sunday night’s home opener against Atlanta. Reports indicate Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell may hold out safety Harrison Smith for another week to ensure complete recovery. While sending a strong message to the team.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on X that Minnesota is considering keeping Smith sidelined despite his positive participation in recent walkthroughs. Rapoport noted that while the veteran’s return to practice represents progress, Vikings coaches refuse to risk losing one of their defensive leaders by rushing him back prematurely. The cautious approach prioritizes long-term availability over immediate needs.

Smith is formally listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with the Falcons in the final injury report. The 36-year-old six-time Pro Bowler remains a fixture in Minnesota’s secondary, but since the middle of August, his workload has been closely managed. “We’re kind of fluid with if I’m ready to go or not, and if I am going to help the team or not. That’s all that matters,” Smith told reporters when asked about his timeline last week.

He refused to provide details about the injury and simply described it as “physical”. The Vikings’ failure to hold out Smith for injured reserve to start the season was a signal that they were hoping for a return before the four-game minimum IR stint. If Smith cannot play, Jay Ward would likely get the more prominent role at safety.

Though Smith’s status is still up in the air, the Vikings’ injury report doesn’t end there. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw is still rehabbing his knee surgery and may be out for another week after practicing on Wednesday. Inside linebacker Blake Cashman missed practice with a hamstring strain, taking him off the field and adding more pressure on veteran backup Eric Wilson.

Kevin is calling out the locker room.

Though pleased with the fourth-quarter surge, head coach O’Connell told The Athletic’s Michael Silver that his team must execute a cleaner, more consistent 60 minutes. “There are a thousand things we all can clean up, me included,” said O’Connell. “Trust me, I could do with way less epic and more, just, 60 [cohesive] minutes.” The phrase summarized a restrained but unmistakable appeal to the locker room: talent won’t cut it as the only way of gaining wins.

O’Connell also pointed out the importance of taking accountability. “It’s not always gonna go your way,” he stated after the game. ”There are gonna be some times where the banding together happens in the post game, when you’ve got to face this disappointment head on — preferably with me out in front.”

The message also had the effect of solidifying his trust in his young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. The QB threw 13 of 20 for 143 yards and two touchdowns, with a rushing touchdown thrown in for good measure in his first game. “We don’t win this game unless J.J. plays the way he did in the second half,” O’Connell said. “Most importantly, he kept the belief of this football team behind him, and now, we know it’s possible.” That belief and its corresponding discipline are something O’Connell is trying to instill throughout the roster, particularly as injuries and absences mount.

Before Sunday night’s game against Atlanta, O’Connell cautioned the Vikings not to go easy with Atlanta’s 0-1 record. Minnesota’s defense will encounter a run-based offense and lots of blitzes.

However, by holding Smith out until he’s fully healthy and speaking out in defense of his quarterback, the head coach is establishing how the Vikings plan to handle the adversity.