Eagan, Minn. (September 12, 2018) – Vikings S Harrison Smith has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against San Francisco last week. Smith was at his best in key moments against the 49ers, recovering a fumble on the Minnesota two-yard line to complete a critical goal-line stand in the second quarter. The Knoxville, Tennessee native also intercepted QB Jimmy Garoppolo late in the fourth quarter, sealing Minnesota's 24-16 win, and added eight tackles (seven solo), two tackles for loss, one sack, and one quarterback hurry. Smith's 10 career sacks now make him the all-time leader in career sacks by Vikings defensive back.
The NFC Player of the Week award is the second of Smith's career, and the fourth by a Viking defensive back under Head Coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings have now had a NFC Player of the Week in three consecutive season openers.
VIKINGS TO BE NAMED NFC PLAYER OF THE WEEK UNDER ZIMMER
Defensive | Anthony Barr, LB | 2014, Week 8, at Tampa Bay
Special Teams | Adam Thielen, WR | 2014, Week 13, vs. Carolina
Special Teams | Marcus Sherels, PR | 2015, Week 8, at Chicago
Defensive | Linval Joseph, DT | 2015, Week 9, vs. St. Louis
Defensive | Terence Newman, CB | 2015, Week 10, at Oakland
Special Teams | Blair Walsh, K | 2015, Week 16, vs. NY Giants
Defensive | Everson Griffen, DE | 2015,Week 17, at Green Bay
Defensive | Eric Kendricks, LB | 2016, Week 1, at Tennessee
Offensive | Stefon Diggs, WR | 2016, Week 2, vs. Green Bay
Defensive | Everson Griffen, DE | 2016, Week 3, at Carolina
Defensive | Xavier Rhodes, CB | 2016, Week 11, vs. Arizona
Offensive | Sam Bradford, QB | 2017, Week 1, vs. New Orleans
Special Teams | Kai Forbath, K | 2017, Week 7, vs. Baltimore
Defensive | Harrison Smith, S | 2017, Week 16, at Green Bay
Defensive | Harrison Smith, S | 2018, Week 1, vs. San Francisco
