Vikings safety Harrison Smith downgraded to out vs. Falcons

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith has been downgraded and is now listed as out for the Atlanta Falcons game because of a knee injury.

Smith was listed as questionable on Friday, but the team said on Saturday that he will be scratched. Smith was injured last week against Green Bay.

He missed the first two practices of the week, but was able to do some work on Friday, giving the Vikings (7-3) some hope that he could be ready to face the Falcons in Atlanta. Smith leads the Vikings with 54 tackles this season.

Rookie cornerback Trae Waynes was also downgraded to out after being listed as questionable on Friday.

A win on Sunday would put the Vikings in first place in the NFC North by one game over Green Bay.

---

Online:

AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL