Impact Smith failed to practice all week so this designation is hardly surprising. Expect Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Conklin to see a bump in targets with the second-year tight end unable to play.
NOVEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
IRV SMITH #83 - TIGHT END - HOUSTON TEXANS
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Out for Monday Smith (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's contest against the Bears.
Cutting, Ham return; Irv Smith Jr. still sidelined Long-snapper Austin Cutting and fullback C.J. Ham returned to the field Saturday as the Vikings got in their final practice before Monday ni...
NOVEMBER 14, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Misses practice again Smith (groin) missed another practice Friday, but offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is optimistic the tight end will be ready for Monday's game against the Bears, Chris Tomasson of...
Impact Kubiak may be optimistic, but the back-to-back absences suggest Smith is likely to enter the game with an injury designation. The Vikings will have until Saturday afternoon/evening to make that determination, with Kyle Rudolph potentially in line for extra targets if Smith ends up absent or limited Monday.
NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Vikings’ Irv Smith again to sit out practice with groin injury Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. was in line Friday to miss a second straight practice with a groin injury. Smith participated in stretching...
NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • TWINCITIES.COM
Irv Smith Jr. Joins + Vikings-Bears Preview | Vikings Live | Full Show Week 10 Watch the full episode of
NOVEMBER 13, 2020 • VIKINGS.COM
Dealing with groin injury Smith didn't practice Thursday due to a groin injury.
Impact On the heels of a two-touchdown performance Week 9 against the Lions, Smith is focusing on recovery rather than practice to kick off Week 10 prep. He'll have two more opportunities to prove his health before the Vikings potentially tab him with a designation for Monday's game at Chicago, but an absence from Smith would vault Tyler Conklin into a bigger role behind veteran TE Kyle Rudolph.
NOVEMBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Scores first TDs on season Smith hauled in two of four passes for 10 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 34-20 win against the Lions.
Impact Smith had a pair of scoring strikes in the first and third quarters, bringing his number of red-zone targets on the season to six through eight games. While he's closing in on his number of those looks from last season (10), he otherwise hasn't contributed a ton to box scores this season -- 13-159-2 line on 21 targets -- working behind Kyle Rudolph (42 of 58 snaps on offense) and even fellow tight end Tyler Conklin (25) on Sunday (Smith earned 22). As a result, it's difficult to trust in Smith on a weekly basis.
NOVEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Cook hasn't broken stride despite early stumble by Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings stumbled through the first six games, looking like a team ripe for a teardown as they entered their bye weekNOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NFL Today, Week 9
NFL Today, Week 9NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vikings finding new ways to involve tight end Irv Smith Jr. There have been lofty expectations for tight end Irv Smith Jr. ever since the Vikings drafted him in the second round of last year’s draft....
NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • TWINCITIES.COM
Brees throws for 4 TDs as Saints pound Buccaneers 38-3
NOVEMBER 8, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Irv Smith Jr. Mic'd Up vs. Green Bay Packers | Minnesota Vikings
NOVEMBER 5, 2020 • YOUTUBE
Irv Smith Jr. Mic'd Up vs. Green Bay TE Irv Smith Jr. was mic'd up during the Week 8 game against Green Bay.
NOVEMBER 5, 2020 • VIKINGS.COM
Nabs one reception in win Smith hauled in his lone target for a 16-yard gain Sunday in the Vikings' 28-22 win over the Packers.
Impact High-speed winds in Green Bay along with Dalvin Cook's dominance on the ground muted the Minnesota passing game, as quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted a season-low 14 throws in the victory. As a result, Smith and Minnesota's other pass catchers were held to modest box-score lines, with Adam Thielen leading all Vikings receivers and tight ends with three catches for 27 yards. Better days should be ahead for Smith, but so long as the game flow allows for it, the Vikings again could opt for a ground-oriented game plan Week 9 against a vulnerable Lions run defense.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Mark Craig's five extra points Eric Kendricks, Irv Smith, Jeff Gladney, Kirk Cousins and Mike Zimmer make the list.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Zimmer, Vikings left to ponder where to turn in 1-5 season
A day after describing Sunday's 40-23 loss to Atlanta as “strange,” Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer seemed to still be searching for answersOCTOBER 19, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Another solid receiving day Smith hauled in four of his five targets for 55 receiving yards during Sunday's 40-23 loss to the Falcons.
Impact The 22-year-old was obsolete in the passing game Weeks 1 through 4, managing only two total receptions for 14 yards despite playing 143 offensive snaps during that span. Smith has become much more involved as a receiver of late, as he posted a season-high 59 offensive snaps last week while recording four receptions for 64 yards against the Seahawks. The Alabama product now has eight receptions and 119 receiving yards in his past two outings, as Minnesota moves into its Week 7 bye before taking on Green Bay Nov. 1.
OCTOBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Vikings pleased with Irv Smith Jr.'s progress at tight end The second-year tight was a bigger part of the game plan vs. Seattle and had a career-high 64 yards.
OCTOBER 14, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Vikings pleased Irv Smith Jr.'s progress at tight end The second-year tight was a bigger part of the game plan vs. Seattle and had a career-high 64 yards.
OCTOBER 14, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Lunchbreak: Acclaim Directed to Week 5 Blocks by Irv Smith, Jr. Minnesota Vikings Latest News
OCTOBER 14, 2020 • VIKINGS.COM
Finally gets involved as receiver Smith nabbed four of five targets for 64 yards Sunday in the Vikings' 27-26 loss to the Seahawks.
Impact Smith accounted for two of the Vikings' three biggest plays on the night, reeling in receptions of 25 and 23 yards. Despite turning in his biggest game of the season, Smith was still out-snapped by position mate Kyle Rudolph, 64-59, though Smith ran a route on 72.7 percent of the Vikings' pass plays, according to Pro Football Focus. If the Vikings continue to reserve Rudolph for more blocking duties in future games, Smith could have a chance at building on his Week 5 breakout and emerging as the No. 3 option in the passing game behind wideouts Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson.
OCTOBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Kirk Cousins finds a diving Irv Smith Jr. in the rain for 23 yards Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins find diving tight end Irv Smith Jr. in the rain for 23 yards.
OCTOBER 12, 2020 • NFL.COM
No receptions Sunday Smith did not have a reception and was only targeted once in Sunday's win at Houston.
Impact Smith has been a non-factor in the passing game with just two receptions for 14 yards in four games this season. The tight ends are not an active part of the passing game in Minnesota's offense, as Kyle Rudolph has just six receptions, despite game scripts that have seen the Vikings needing to pass while trailing or in high-scoring games.
OCTOBER 5, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Purple Pups Featuring Irv Smith Jr. Purple Pups returns this week on
OCTOBER 2, 2020 • VIKINGS.COM
No targets Sunday Smith did not have a target in Sunday's 31-30 loss to Tennessee.
Impact Smith played on 36 of the offense's 65 snaps but only went out for a route on 17 snaps. Kyle Rudolph played 48 snaps and had two receptions and three targets (including a three-yard touchdown). Smith also had a key blocking penalty, his third penalty this season. It was thought Smith could have a breakout season in his second year, but he's been a non-factor in the passing offense so far -- just two receptions and five targets in three games -- and there are no signs that will change.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
