UPDATE: While Smith may need surgery at some point, it appears that he is not planning on it right now, according to Ian Rapoport. Still, Smith is likely to be placed on short-term injured reserve to heal and come back this season.

The struggling and beat-up Minnesota Vikings secondary could be on the cusp of taking another blow, as safety Harrison Smith may need surgery to repair a turf toe injury, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today.

Smith limped off the field during last week's loss to the Carolina Panthers with a left foot injury and did not return. It seems as though the issue could cost him significant time, though no specific information has been released on how long he could be sidelined.

More: Highly touted rookies not seeing the field for Vikings

Minnesota is currently 29th in the league in pass defense and is surrendering 308 yards per game through the air. The secondary has been constantly banged up, with cornerbacks Chris Cook and A.J. Jefferson and safety Jamarca Sanford all missing time at some point this season.

Smith is unquestionably the strongest link in the defensive backfield, and any time without him on the field will certainly be costly. Through five games this season he has compiled 29 tackles, two interceptions and three passes defensed.

The Vikings also lost linebacker Desmond Bishop for the season to a torn ACL earlier this week.

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