In a procedural move, the Vikings announced that they have waived linebacker Cameron Smith. However, this doesn’t mean it’s the end of his tenure with the organization.
As Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press points out (on Twitter), the front office expects Smith to clear waivers and land on their injured reserve. The reporter adds that the player is expected to earn his fully $675K base salary.
The 23-year-old revealed this weekend that he needs to undergo open-heart surgery and will miss the entire 2020 campaign. Fortunately, Smith also revealed that he opted for a procedure that will allow him to continue his NFL career once he’s fully recovered.
“I found out I need open heart surgery to fix a bicuspid aortic valve that I was born with,” Smith posted on Instagram. “Although this will unfortunately end my 2020 season, it is really a blessing that we found this as my heart is severely enlarged and wouldn’t have lasted much longer. I found this out after I tested positive for COVID and had to have further testing done as protocol. The Lord works in mysterious ways, but I could really feel him on this one!
“By no means am I ready to be done playing football, there is still so much more I want to accomplish on the field. I’m going to attack this like everything else I have in life. Already looking forward to the comeback! #SKOL”
The Vikings selected the USC product in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. The linebacker saw time in five games as a rookie, compiling eight tackles.
‘As Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press points out (on Twitter), the front office expects Smith to clear waivers and land on their injured reserve.’
Im not a lawyer, but if you’re cut/fired/waived, why would you end up on the exact same team’s IR report? Or why should you want to be with them?
All medical issues will be taken care of by The Vikings.
Class Act on their part.
What kind of medical professionals are employed by the Vikings that this congenital condition was just now discovered? Mr. Smith is lucky to be alive. He very well could have lost his life on the playing field in 2019.
Vikings: Time to revisit and improve physical examination protocols.
USC : Time to revisit and improve physical examination protocols.
Why/HOW did your physical examinations fail to identify this congenital condition?
Doctor forgot their stethoscope ?
EKG machine was not plugged in?
Wow this must be scary news for Smith. But like he says, he is lucky to find out about it, although I have to wonder with Covid if he’s able to have corrective surgery.