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Smoot's jaw broken in auto accident

  • Article by: Judd Zulgad , Star Tribune
  • Updated: December 27, 2006 - 10:18 PM

The cornerback was riding in the back seat when the driver lost control trying to avoid another vehicle.

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Vikings cornerback Fred Smoot remained in Jackson, Miss., on Wednesday after suffering a fractured jaw in five places early Saturday in a one-car accident near his hometown. Smoot's agent, Bus Cook, said his client did not suffer any other injuries.

The accident brings an end to a second consecutive disappointing season for Smoot, and there is a chance he has played his final game for the Vikings.

"It's really tough," cornerback Ronyell Whitaker said. "You feel bad for him. All you can do is just pray. That's what I've been doing is praying for him."

Commander Lee Vance of the Jackson police department said Smoot was sitting in the back seat of a Rolls-Royce Phantom when the driver lost control and ran into a guard rail while traveling south on Interstate 55 in the Jackson area at 2:52 Saturday morning. Smoot was among four people in the car and was the most severely injured; alcohol was not a factor and there was "no apparent improper driving," according to Vance. He said he believed it was raining that night.

Cook said Smoot was resting at home and that doctors have told him the healing process will take four to five weeks.

"After that it's going to be week-to-week and by March he will be ready to go," Cook said. "The doctor told me the bone will heal and everything will be like new."

Cook's understanding was the driver of Smoot's car lost control after trying to avoid a vehicle that swerved to change lanes.

After the Vikings' 9-7 loss at Green Bay last Thursday, Childress had the players report to Winter Park for a short time Friday and then gave them three days off over Christmas. Childress has only exchanged text messages with Smoot because the cornerback is unable to speak.

The Vikings placed Smoot on the reserve/non-football injury list, meaning he won't be paid for Sunday's game. That will cost him 1/17th of his base salary or $47,059.

Smoot has had a rough tenure in Minnesota since signing a six-year, $34 million free-agent contract in March 2005 that included $10.8 million in guaranteed money. He was a central figure in the Vikings' boat scandal in 2005 and later missed four games because of a collarbone injury. In November, Smoot's half-brother was killed in an auto accident in Jackson.

Because of the emergence of Cedric Griffin, it would not be surprising if the Vikings release Smoot. Based on his original contract, the Vikings would take a salary cap hit of $4.5 million if they sever ties with Smoot before June 1.

Judd Zulgad • jzulgad@startribune.com

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