IRV SMITH NEWS

To practice soon Smith (thumb) is closing in on a return to practice, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact Coach Kevin O'Connell commented on Smith's recovery from thumb surgery after Saturday's preseason loss to the 49ers, saying the tight end "will be back on the grass" in the near future. Whether that means merely working with the Vikings' training staff on the side or actually mixing into individual drills remains to be seen, but when he does get on the field, it'll be a sign of progress as he aims to be available Week 1 against the Packers.

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sudfeld, 49ers beat Vikings 17-7 in battle of backups

Nate Sudfeld led a 14-play, 79-yard drive for a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Minnesota Vikings 17-7

AUGUST 21, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. On Track to Play Week 1, Kevin O'Connell Says Smith is still recovering from thumb surgery, but the Vikings are happy with how he’s progressing.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

On track for Week 1 return Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Smith (thumb) is on track to play Week 1 of the regular season.

Impact Smith has been able to do work on the side and may be able to catch in a few more days, O'Connell added. Smith, who missed the entire 2021 season after having surgery to repair a meniscus issue in his right knee, had opened training camp in line to participate fully, but had thumb surgery on Aug. 2.

AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings' Cousins using summer tennis for in-season agility

Kirk Cousins was looking for more variety and more fun in his offseason training a few years ago when he developed a deep appreciation for a different sport

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. has thumb surgery, aims for opener

Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. will miss the remainder of the preseason after having surgery on his injured thumb

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Week 1 return plausible The Vikings are hopeful that Smith -- who underwent thumb surgery Tuesday -- will be ready in time to play in Week 1, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports. "We still feel very strongly a...

Impact Smith, who missed the entire 2021 season after having surgery to repair a meniscus issue in his right knee, had opened training camp in line to participate fully, but now the 2019 second-rounder seems destined to miss most or all of camp and the preseason. In his absence, Ben Ellefson, Johnny Mundt, Zach Davidson, Nick Muse and Shaun Beyer are available to handle Minnesota's tight end reps.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dales: Irv Smith Jr. Undergoes Thumb Surgery NFL Network's Stacey Dales reports that Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. is undergoing thumb surgery after sustaining an injury dur...

AUGUST 2, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM

O'Connell: Irv Smith, Jr., Undergoes Thumb Surgery Minnesota Vikings Latest News

AUGUST 2, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM

Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. Has Thumb Surgery, Expected to Be Ready for Opener This is another tough blow for Smith, who missed all of last season with a meniscus injury.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Has surgery on thumb Smith had surgery on his thumb Tuesday, with coach Kevin O'Connell saying afterward that the tight end should be ready for the start of the season.

Impact This explains Smith's early departure from practice Monday and likely rules him out for most or all of training camp and the preseason. He'll have five and a half weeks to recover before the Vikings host the Packers on Sunday, Sept. 11. Next up on the team's TE depth chart are Ben Ellefson, Johnny Mundt, Zach Davidson and Nick Muse.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

May have minor injury Smith missed the end of Monday's practice with a possible injury, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact The report notes that Smith left the session early before returning to the sideline without a helmet. It doesn't sound serious, but it'll be worth tracking if the tight end isn't back at practice within the next few days.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings value return of rejuvenated tight end Irv Smith Jr.

The evidence of Irv Smith Jr.’s rejuvenated outlook jumps out from underneath his chinstrap

JULY 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lunchbreak: Irv Smith, Jr., Projected as Vikings 2022 Breakout Candidate Minnesota Vikings Latest News

JULY 29, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM

For Vikings, budding Cousins-O'Connell relationship is key

Kirk Cousins is getting to know a new head coach in his fifth season with the Minnesota Vikings

JULY 28, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vikings, Jefferson believe star WR still on verge of takeoff

Several standout NFL wide receivers found their footing in Year 3

JULY 27, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Live Now: Justin Jefferson, Irv Smith Jr. and Dalvin Tomlinson Watch live as Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, TE Irv Smith Jr. and DL Dalvin Tomlinson address the media during training camp.

JULY 27, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM

No limitations for camp Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Smith will be a full participant in training camp after missing last season with a torn meniscus, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press repor...

Impact Smith took live reps at June minicamp and now gets a second shot at a breakout in the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. With Tyler Conklin leaving for New York in the offseason, Smith doesn't have much competition for snaps at tight end. The 2019 second-round pick was one of the league's better No. 2 TEs in 2019 and 2020 behind Kyle Rudolph, and he now has a shot at a three-down role in his age-24 season.

JULY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Irv Smith Jr. 'Full Go' as Vikings Enter Training Camp With Minimal Injuries Ihmir Smith-Marsette is another player who has recovered from spring injury concerns.

JULY 26, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Vikings could be an Irv Smith Jr. injury away from disaster Tight end depth could be a real trouble spot for the Vikings.

JULY 19, 2022 • USATODAY.COM

Vikings training camp TEs preview: Irv Smith Jr. atop unproven room with little depth The Vikings don’t have much depth at TE, but Smith is a breakout candidate entering year four.

JULY 18, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Irv Smith Jr. Highlights | 2022 Offseason Program Watch highlights of Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. from the team's 2022 offseason program...

JULY 14, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM

NFC North Roundtable: Irv Smith Jr. and One Surprise Player on the Packers, Bears, and Lions We picked one player on each of the four NFC North teams who will surprise in 2022.

JULY 11, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Tight Ends Coach Brian Angelichio on Excitement For Irv Smith Jr.'s Return, Development of His Group As A Whole and More Vikings Tight Ends Coach Brian Angelichio sat down with vikings.com's Tatum Everett at the end of the offseason program to assess where thin...

JUNE 27, 2022 • VIKINGS.COM

Looks healthy at minicamp Smith (knee) received live reps with the first-team offense at June minicamp and appeared to be a full participant, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith was a limited participant in most of the Vikings' offseason practices prior to mandatory minicamp, slowly working his way back from the meniscus surgery he underwent last September. The typical rehab period for the surgery gives him more than enough time to be ready for Week 1, and he now looks on track for full participation in training camp. Smith could have an every-down role in the fourth and final season of his rookie contract, leading a tight-end group that also includes Ben Ellefson, Johnny Mundt and Zach Davidson. Ellefson and Mundt could poach some early down snaps while primarily serving as blockers, but Smith is in the clear as Minnesota's best receiving threat at the position.

JUNE 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE