Ben Goessling, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Vikings: Three out, Smith limited in practice

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings were without three prominent defensive players -- linebacker Chad Greenway, defensive back Josh Robinson and defensive tackle Linval Joseph -- on Wednesday, and a fourth (safety Harrison Smith) was limited with a knee injury.

Greenway, who played this past Sunday's game with a broken hand and left it with a broken rib, wasn't scheduled to practice on Wednesday, anyway, after his wife, Jennifer Capista, gave birth to the couple's third child on Tuesday. Coach Mike Zimmer said Greenway likely wouldn't be able to play if he was in the same state he was at the end of Sunday's game, and Gerald Hodges will likely get most of the work at weakside linebacker in practice this week, as he did last week. Once Greenway left the game, rookie linebacker Anthony Barr said he took over the responsibility of relaying the Vikings' defensive play calls in the huddle.

Joseph, who missed practice with a shoulder injury, had shoulder surgery in the offseason, though it's not known if his current injury is related to his previous ailment. Robinson left Sunday's game when his recurring hamstring issues came back, and he missed practice again on Wednesday with the same problem.

In addition to Smith, linebacker Brandon Watts was limited with a knee injury. Defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (shoulder), linebacker Michael Mauti (foot) and wide receiver Rodney Smith (hamstring) were listed on the injury report, but practiced in full.

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