Harrison Smith named NFC defensive player of the week for NFL Week 1

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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


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