CHRIS HERNDON NEWS

Signs with New Orleans The Saints signed Herndon on Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Herndon will play for his third NFL team in as many years after seeing just seven targets while playing second fiddle to Tyler Conklin in Minnesota last season. He enters a crowded tight end room that includes promising third-year player Adam Trautman, gadget-knife Taysom Hill and blocking specialist Nick Vannett. Herndon's path to playing time is unclear, and whether he makes the initial 53-man roster may depend on whether New Orleans opts to keep four tight ends.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing deal with New Orleans Herndon is expected to sign with the Saints, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Herndon was selected by the Jets in the fourth round of the 2018 Draft and had a promising rookie season he has yet to be able to duplicate. The four-year pro spent last season with the Vikings, recording four catches on seven targets for 40 yards and a touchdown.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings have little space to spend with big holes on defense

The Minnesota Vikings have big holes on defense and little salary cap space to fill them in free agency

MARCH 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Taken off COVID list The Vikings activated Herndon (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday.

Impact Herndon is healthy for the offseason after missing Week 18. He played in each of Minnesota's first 16 games in 2021, but was targeted only five times while averaging 11.5 snaps per contest. Herndon turns 26 in February, and 60 percent of his career receiving yards (502 of 836) came during his 2018 rookie campaign. He'll become an unrestricted free agent in March if he doesn't re-sign with Minnesota first.

JANUARY 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not available for finale The Vikings didn't reinstate Herndon (illness) from the reserve/COVID-19 list prior to Sunday's game against the Bears, Will Ragatz of SI.com reports.

Impact Minnesota at least restored some depth at tight end for the finale with blocking specialist Ben Ellefson (foot/knee) making his return from injured reserve, but Herndon's absence will leave the Vikings without at true pass-catching threat at the position beyond starter Tyler Conklin. After being acquired from the Jets prior to Week 1, Herndon concludes his first season in Minnesota with just four receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown on seven targets over 16 games.

JANUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list Herndon (neck) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday.

Impact The tight end tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and will now enter the league's protocols surrounding the virus. Herndon suffered a neck injury in Week 17 against the Packers, making it unlikely that he plays Sunday versus the Bears regardless of the his ability to clear COVID protocols.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Injures neck on SNF Herndon (neck) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against Green Bay.

Impact Herndon wasn't targeted prior to being injured. Luke Stocker should see more run alongside Tyler Conklin at tight end in heavy sets with Herndon hurt.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

No targets Week 13 Herndon played 13 offensive snaps and wasn't targeted during Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Lions.

Impact Herndon and Luke Stocker each played 13 offensive snaps while starting tight end Tyler Conklin led Minnesota's pass catchers with 72 snaps. Herndon has only three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown in 12 games this season and has no fantasy appeal in his current role as a depth tight end.

DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

No targets in Sunday's loss Herndon didn't record a target during Sunday's 34-26 loss to the 49ers.

Impact Herndon didn't record a target for the second consecutive game and played just eight offensive snaps, his lowest total since Week 9. As long as Tyler Conklin is healthy, it doesn't appear like Herndon will have much of a role in Minnesota's passing game.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings designate Peterson for return; CB has missed 3 games

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson will practice this week with an opportunity to play against NFC-leading Green Bay

NOVEMBER 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Has one reception Sunday Herndon had one reception for 14 yards on two targets in Sunday's win at the Chargers.

Impact Herndon tied for a season-high 23 snaps on offense as he's usually been a non-factor in the passing game. He also had a bad drop during the game, so it doesn't look like he's become a larger part of the passing game as long as Tyler Conklin is healthy.

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Catches first Vikings touchdown Herndon caught a two-yard touchdown on his only target in Sunday's win at Carolina.

Impact It was Herndon's first catch of the season and only his third target as he's had a near non-existent role on offense despite the touchdown. However, he played on 24 of the offense's 89 snaps, a season-high in snaps, which could indicate his role may grow.

OCTOBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Half empty: Vikings offense dissects post-halftime problems

Minnesota head coach Mike Zimmer gave his offensive staff an early homework assignment before the bye week

OCTOBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Win overshadows another strange second half for Vikings

The Vikings scored on their first three possessions and held a 13-3 lead at home Sunday against the winless Lions

OCTOBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

No offensive role Herndon was on the field for only seven of the Vikings' 67 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to Cleveland.

Impact Herndon has not surpassed 12 offensive snaps in any game this season, though Sunday was his lowest mark of the campaign. He has yet to log a reception with his new team, and he has slipped behind both Tyler Conklin and Ben Ellefson in terms of involvement in the offense.

OCTOBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Plays just 12 snaps Herndon did not have a target and played just 12 snaps on offense in Sunday's loss at Arizona.

Impact Herndon also played 12 snaps in Week 1 but had two targets. Meanwhile, Ben Ellefson played 16 snaps. Tyler Conklin had two receptions and played 49 snaps as the clear top tight end with Irv Smith out for the season with a knee injury. Herndon's role could grow, but there's no sign yet that he could be a significant part of the passing game.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Plays 12 snaps in Vikings debut Herndon did not have a catch on two targets and played 12 snaps on offense in Sunday's overtime loss at Cincinnati.

Impact Herndon may have played more than expected after being traded to Minnesota from the Jets on Aug. 31. Tyler Conklin had four receptions and played 59 snaps as the clear top tight end with Irv Smith out for the season with a knee injury. Herndon could overtake Conklin for the top role if he gets up to speed with the offense and returns to his 2018 rookie form, but he'll likely have a limited role in the offense in the meantime. At the least, Herndon played more snaps than Brandon Dillon, who only was used on special teams.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as No. 3 TE Herndon is listed as the No. 3 tight end on Minnesota's unofficial depth chart for Week 1 at Cincinnati.

Impact Herndon was traded to Minnesota from the Jets on Aug. 31, so he's likely still catching up in learning the offense. Tyler Conklin is set to begin the season as the starting tight end with Irv Smith out for the season due to a knee injury. Brandon Dillon is listed as the No. 2 tight end. While Herndon begins the season at No. 3, it's possible he could move to the No. 2 role and be used in two-tight end sets or even become the primary pass-catching tight end once he learns the offense. However, he'll need to avoid the injury issues and inconsistency that plagued him in New York. He has upside if he can find the form of his 2018 rookie season (39 receptions for 502 yards and four touchdowns).

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Saleh, Wilson give Jets some optimism for the future

The hiring of coach Robert Saleh set off a wave of optimism throughout the New York Jets facility, with several players remarking how much they respected the coach’s approach and p...

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets surprisingly cut CB Bless Austin among several moves

The New York Jets released cornerback Bless Austin and surprisingly moved on from a projected starter in their young secondary

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vikings TE Smith likely done for season after knee surgery

The Minnesota Vikings are bracing for a season-long absence for on-the-rise tight end Irv Smith Jr., after knee surgery for a torn meniscus

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cam Newton headlines list of NFL players released

Cam Newton followed Mac Jones along the sideline, holding his right hand up, waiting for the rookie quarterback to slap it after the No. 15 overall pick threw a touchdown in a pres...

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jets trade Herndon, 6th-rounder to Vikings for 4th-rounder

The New York Jets traded tight end Chris Herndon along with a 2022 sixth-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for a fourth-rounder in next year’s draft

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Headed to Minnesota Herndon was traded to the Vikings on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Draft-pick compensation is reportedly headed back to the Jets, while Herndon helps fill a need at tight end for the Vikings, with both Irv Smith (knee) and Tyler Conklin (hamstring) dealing with injuries. Smith's timeline for a return to action is cloudy while he undergoes surgery to address a meniscus issue, so Herndon gives the team a player with some upside to introduce to the passing attack once he's up to speed with Minnesota's offense.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Working with second-team unit Herndon (hamstring) is participating in drills with the second-team offense Wednesday, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

Impact Herndon missed June minicamp due to the hamstring injury, and while it's encouraging to see him back on the practice field, it's also concerning that he's not handling first-team reps. Previous reports indicated Herndon struggled to pick up the Jets' new offensive playbook during the offseason, and he won't be assured a starting role under the team's new regime. If Tyler Kroft and Ryan Griffin look more consistent throughout training camp, Herndon could open the season second or third on the depth chart at tight end.

JULY 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE