Man, the Minnesota Vikings just got hit with some brutal news straight out of their preseason opener against the Giants. Veteran safety Jamal Adams tore his quad in that game and is officially out for the entire 2026 season. Talk about a gut punch to kick off August. This signing was thought by some to be the kind of move that could soften the blow if Harrison Smith, #22 himself, decided to stay away. Now? Everything’s flipped.
Another Safety Down, Another Question Mark Up
The Adams injury is a real crusher for the Vikings. He went down in the preseason opener and that quad tear means he won’t be suiting up for the rest of the year. When they signed Adams, there was definitely a vibe that it was a strategic play, maybe to cover their bases if Harrison Smith didn’t return. Smith, the longtime Viking, still hasn’t come back, but he also hasn’t officially announced his retirement. It was a lingering question mark, and now, with Adams out, it’s a full-blown spotlight.
Is #22 Ready For a Comeback?
This whole situation cranks up the heat on the Harrison Smith question tenfold. Does Adams’ season-ending injury make it way more likely we see #22 back on the field with the Vikings this year? Training camp is officially wrapping up this week. The last day of camp is marked by Thursday’s joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens. Then, they’ve got their preseason game on Saturday at U.S. Bank Stadium. If Smith is going to make a comeback, you’d think we’d be hearing about it right about now, wouldn’t you? The clock is ticking.
With their safety depth taking such a massive hit, the stakes are super high for the Vikings. Keep an eye out over the next few days, because if #22 is going to walk back through those doors, the word should be dropping any minute now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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