Safety Smith Cited Again

Safety Dwight Smith was cited for having a small amount of marijuana in his car on Thursday night, an allegation that could land him in trouble with the league and the team.

At the end of last season, Viking Update asked safety Dwight Smith about his potential long-term status with the team. Smith, who now has one year remaining on the three-year contract he signed with the Vikings before the 2006 season, said he still felt he had to prove to the Vikings that he could stay out of trouble.

On Friday, it was learned that Smith had been cited in Minneapolis on Thursday night for having a small amount of marijuana in his car, which he occupied in a valet parking lane outside of Schieks Palace Royale gentlemen’s club.

According to the police report, Smith admitted to having smoked marijuana, and the whole incident could land Smith on a league-imposed suspension and eventually end his career with the Vikings.

Smith, who came to the Vikings after two other run-ins with the law involving weapons in Tampa Bay, was also suspended for his first game with the Vikings after being cited for indecent conduct with a woman in a downtown Minneapolis stairwell.

Additionally, he has missed two starts for disciplinary reasons, the last time coming two weeks ago against Detroit when he and head coach Brad Childress had a heated argument during the week of preparation.

Smith could face a $125 fine and a potential suspension, and it could put his Vikings career in jeopardy with Childress preaching a “culture of accountability” within the organization since his arrival in January 2006.

Ironically, this latest incident came about 12 hours before the players entered their votes for the Pro Bowl, and a couple of players Viking Update talked with mentioned Smith as a deserving candidate for the postseason honors. So far this season, he has 47 tackles and a team-leading four interceptions, as well as 11 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.

The Vikings’ depth at safety could be tested if he is suspended, as the primary backups at strong and free safety, Mike Doss and Tank Williams, have been struggling with hamstring and knee injuries, respectively. Williams was listed as doubtful and Doss as questionable on Friday’s injury report.

NOTES

On the final injury report of the week, Williams (knee) is listed as doubtful and did not participate on Friday. Doss (hamstring), CB Charles Gordon (quadriceps), guard Artis Hicks (low back) and WR Bobby Wade (knee) are all questionable. All but Wade participated in Friday’s practice on a limited basis. Childress said Wade has some swelling in his knee from a bone bruise he suffered in the Eagles game and Wade confirmed that, but he said he’ll be ready to play on Monday night.

For the Bears, QB Rex Grossman (knee) is listed as doubtful and did not participate in Friday’s practice. DT Tommie Harris (knee), DT Darwin Walker (elbow) and CB Nathan Vasher (groin) all participated on a limited basis and are listed as questionable.

The St. Louis Rams released former Vikings quarterback Todd Bouman on Friday.

The Washington Redskins released quarterback Jason Fife, who had an offseason stint with the Vikings a few years ago.