Vikings' Harrison Smith: Absent from practice Wednesday

Smith (personal) did not practice Wednesday, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said, "The hope is we can ramp [Smith] up" through the week, indicating the starting safety could suit up Monday at home against the Bears, but he hasn't practiced since Aug. 11 due to what's been deemed a personal matter. Jay Ward and Theo Jackson will be candidates to handle expanded defensive snaps if Smith is unavailable Week 1.