DECEMBER 26, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
IRV SMITH #83 - TIGHT END - HOUSTON TEXANS
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Irv Smith Jr. and Justin Jefferson had some success, but Saints had more The Vikings offense got rolling for 33 points and 364 yards, but tight end Irv Smith Jr. and receiver Justin Jefferson weren't dancing as mu...
Finds end zone twice in loss Smith secured six of nine targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns in the Vikings' 52-33 loss to the Saints on Friday.
Impact The second-year tight end posted season highs in receptions and targets while also tying a personal best with his touchdown grabs of two and four yards in the third quarter. Smith has come on over the second half of the season, having recorded multiple grabs in five consecutive contests while also posting all five of his scoring catches during that stretch. The 2019 second-round pick will look to close out the season in strong fashion versus a Lions defense he found the end zone twice against back in Week 9 in a Week 17 rematch.
DECEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Kamara's 6 TDs tie NFL record; Saints beat Vikings 52-33
Alvin Kamara tied an NFL record by running for six touchdowns in a game and finished with a career-high 155 yards rushing to help New Orleans beat the Minnesota Vikings 52-33 and c...DECEMBER 26, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Irv Smith Jr. hauls in his second TD grab from his knees Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. hauls in his second TD grab from his knees.
DECEMBER 26, 2020 • NFL.COM
Irv Smith Jr. cashes in on Vikes' takeaway with open TD in the flat Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. cashes in on Vikes' takeaway with open TD in the flat.
DECEMBER 25, 2020 • NFL.COM
Posts 37 yards in Week 15 start Smith reeled in three of four targets for 37 yards during Sunday's 33-27 loss to Chicago.
Impact With Kyle Rudolph (foot) unavailable for the Week 15 divisional tilt, Smith posted his fifth start of the 2020 campaign while tying for third on the team in targets. Tyler Conklin turned out to be the more profitable tight end option against the Bears, however, producing three catches for 57 yards and a touchdown. The Alabama product has offered an inconsistent floor and a limited fantasy ceiling in his second pro campaign, with no more than five targets or 64 receiving yards in any game this season. Smith has also been held under 25 yards on six different occasions, scoring a touchdown in just one of those instances.
DECEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Could handle key role Smith's teammate Kyle Rudolph (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Chicago.
Impact It's a second straight absence for Rudolph, who prior to this foot injury had been getting some extra targets while Smith missed three out of four games Weeks 10-13. The 22-year-old returned last week and caught four passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in the 26-14 loss to Tampa, but his 35 percent snap share was a season low, with fellow tight end Tyler Conklin getting more playing time (57 percent) and more targets (five). Smith should see his role increase now that he's off the injury report, facing a Chicago defense that's given up the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends.
DECEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Top 12 running backs for Week 15, believing in the Bears and more From Derrick Henry to Miles Sanders, we rank the Top 12 fantasy football running backs for Week 12. Plus, Irv Smith's upside and more!
DECEMBER 17, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Young Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. ready for more responsibility Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. looks like he’s ready for more responsibility in the offense. He proved as much in last Sunday’s 26-14 loss...
DECEMBER 16, 2020 • TWINCITIES.COM
Vikings' miscues have them on outside of playoffs, again
Five wins in six weeks had put the Minnesota Vikings into playoff position after their 1-5 startDECEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Finds end zone in loss Smith secured all four targets for 63 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 26-14 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Impact The second-year tight end had the chance for more targets with position mate Kyle Rudolph (foot) out of action, but Smith actually saw just a slight bump over the 2.6 targets per contest he came into the contest with. However, Smith put the opportunities to good use, leading the Vikings in receiving yards while tying Justin Jefferson for second in receptions. Smith also garnered Minnesota's only touchdown through the air, recording a 14-yard scoring grab late in the third quarter. Smith will look to follow up the solid performance in a Week 15 matchup versus a Bears defense that's been vulnerable to tight ends this season.
DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Brady throws for 2 TDs, Buccaneers wear down Vikings 26-14
Tom Brady threw for 196 yards and two touchdown in helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers bolster their playoff hopes with a 26-14 victory over the Minnesota VikingsDECEMBER 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Available Sunday Smith (back) is active for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay.
Impact While Smith puts an end to a two-game absence, fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph will take a seat for the first time since 2014. Smith has surpassed 50 yards receiving just twice in nine games this season, but with a few more targets freed up due to Rudolph's absence, he and Tyler Conklin are poised for bigger roles.
DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Likely to play at Tampa Bay Smith (back), who is listed as questionable, is expected to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Impact The 22-year-old is expected to take the field after missing the past two games due to the back issue, but Schefter also indicated Smith could still be limited by the injury Sunday. Kyle Rudolph (foot) isn't expected to play, so even with Smith back, Minnesota will be missing one of its top tight ends. Tyler Conklin is the only other tight end on the active roster, though he has only four catches for 26 yards this season.
DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Listed as questionable Smith (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, while teammate Kyle Rudolph (foot) is doubtful, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
Impact Smith returned to practice Thursday and Friday as a limited participant, after missing three of the past four games with groin and back injuries. His status may not be confirmed until Sunday morning, but he could have a larger-than-usual role in the passing game if he's active, as Rudolph isn't expected to play. Tyler Conklin will be left as the top tight end if both Smith and Rudolph are inactive ahead of Sunday's 1 ET kickoff.
DECEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Vikings are hopeful that Irv Smith Jr. will return against the Bucs Tight end Kyle Rudolph's 98-game start streak is in jeopardy, and the team is optimistic Smith will be back from groin and back injuries.
DECEMBER 11, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Limited in return to practice Smith (back) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday.
Impact Offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak told Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com that Smith had a "positive" day of practice Thursday and may be back "in the mix" this weekend if he looks good again Friday. "He picked up his work today so we're heading in the right direction towards Sunday," Kubiak said. With Kyle Rudolph (foot) not yet able to practice this week, it could be the Smith and Tyler Conklin show at tight end for the Vikings on Sunday in Tampa Bay.
DECEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Back at practice Smith (back) was spotted at practice Thursday, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Impact Meanwhile, fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot) remained sidelined, with the Vikings' upcoming injury report slated to reveal whether Smith was limited or logged a full session in his return to practice Thursday.
DECEMBER 10, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Not practicing yet Smith (back) was held out of practice Wednesday.
Impact As was fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph (foot), leaving Tyler Conklin as the only healthy option at the position on the active roster. Smith himself hasn't practiced since the first session of Week 12 prep, so he may need to get on the field in some capacity Thursday and/or Friday to give him a chance to suit up Sunday at Tampa Bay.
DECEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Jefferson's rookie season stacks up with the best, even Moss
Hall of Famer Randy Moss splashed on the scene in 1998 for the Minnesota Vikings with one of the best seasons ever for a rookie receiver, setting a new standard for how rookies wou...DECEMBER 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vikings outlast error-prone Jags 27-24 on Bailey's OT kick
Dan Bailey kicked a 23-yard field goal with 1:49 left in overtime that lifted the Minnesota Vikings to a 27-24 victory over JacksonvilleDECEMBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
QB Jones inactive for Giants; McCoy to start at Seattle
The New York Giants will be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones for Sunday’s game against the Seattle SeahawksDECEMBER 6, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Viking will face Jaguars without Irv Smith and D.J. Wonnum Running back Dalvin Cook was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for November.
DECEMBER 4, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM
Sidelined for Week 13 The Vikings ruled Smith (back) out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Impact Smith will be inactive for a third time this season and for the second week in a row after his back injury prevented him from practicing in any capacity Wednesday through Friday. With Smith out of the picture, Kyle Rudolph should be freed to run more routes at tight end after typically serving as more of a blocking specialist when both players dress. While Smith was sidelined Weeks 10 and 12, Rudolph recorded 11 receptions for 131 yards on 13 targets.
DECEMBER 4, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Spectating at practice again Smith (back) won't participate in Thursday's practice, Eric Smith of the Vikings' official site reports.
Impact Though Smith is at the Vikings' facility, he'll be working out off to the side for a second straight day while he manages the back injury. The Vikings will wait and see if he's able to do anything Friday before ruling on his status for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, but the back-to-back absences from practice to begin the week don't bode well for his chances of gaining clearance to play.
DECEMBER 3, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
