Harrison Smith is not practicing today after cornerback Terence Newman hit him in the left knee during the first quarter of Sunday's loss to the Packers. But he downplayed concerns about the severity of his injury.
"At this point in the year, everyone is banged up so I'm just trying to get ready for Sunday," the safety said a couple of hours before practice.
Smith was injured on a fluky play. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers tried to make a quick spinning pass to wide receiver James Jones. But the ball slipped out of his hand and bounced toward Newman. Newman lunged for the ball in case it was a fumble and collided with Smith's extended leg.
"Stuff happens. It's part of the game," Smith said.
Smith only sat out five snaps before returning to and finishing the game. He admitted he was initially concerned the injury could be significant.
Smith walked gingerly in the locker room. He said he felt worse on Monday.
"Even when you don't get hurt, it's worse on Mondays," the 26-year-old safety said. "But winning helps, so we need to get back to that."
Defensive end Everson Griffen (shoulder and hip) also sat out today's practice. Safety Robert Blanton (ankle), defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (ankle) and left tackle Matt Kalil (toe) were limited.
