MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEWS

Irv Smith Jr. - Set to miss 8-to-10 weeks Smith is in line to miss 8-to-10 weeks as a result of the high-ankle sprain that he sustained during Sunday's win against the Cardinals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact With such a lengthy recovery timeline, Smith inevitably will be placed on injured reserve by the Vikings, who replaced him by trading for T.J. Hockenson on Tuesday. The timing perhaps was fortuitous for the team, but Smith himself now will be hard-pressed to see action before the end of the regular season. While he is sidelined, Hockenson and Johnny Mundt will be Minnesota's tight ends for the foreseeable future, although the latter is primarily a blocker.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Irv Smith Jr. - Will miss time with ankle sprain Smith is expected to miss multiple weeks after he was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain following his early exit from Sunday's 34-26 win over the Cardinals, Adam Schefter of ESPN...

Impact The Vikings made it apparent that they anticipated Smith would miss time, as the team acquired T.J. Hockenson from the divisional rival Lions on Tuesday. Hockenson should immediately step in as the Vikings' new No. 1 tight end beginning with this Sunday's game in Washington, and his superior production through his first three-plus seasons in the NFL suggests he'll retain that spot atop the depth chart even after Smith returns. Before suffering the ankle injury, the third-year player had been a serviceable secondary target in the Vikings' passing game, having turned in a 22-168-2 line through the first seven games. However, his injury and the addition of Hockenson means that Smith is a drop candidate in nearly every redraft league.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

T.J. Hockenson - Dealt to Minnesota in surprise move The Vikings acquired Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick from the Lions on Tuesday in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 four...

Impact With Irv Smith expected to miss time due to a high-ankle sprain, the NFC North-leading Vikings swung a deal with one of their division rivals to secure a high-quality replacement in Hockenson, who should sit atop the tight end depth chart even after Smith returns. Hockenson had been the co-No. 2 option in the passing game for Detroit this season behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and was off to a strong start through seven games, producing a 26-395-3 line on 43 targets. He joins a similar situation in a Minnesota passing game dominated by another elite receiver in Justin Jefferson, but it's conceivable Hockenson could quickly challenge Adam Thielen (knee) for the No. 2 role. The tight end is due $9.39 million in 2023 after Detroit exercised his fifth-year team option earlier this year, but the Vikings could look to negotiate a longer-term extension with Hockenson next spring depending on how he performs over the back half of this season.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Power Rankings: Eagles fly to the top; Bengals, Bucs, Jags tumble

After Week 8, the Eagles claim the top spot in our Power Rankings, with several six-win squads in hot pursuit. Here's how it all plays out.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Adam Zimmer, Bengals analyst, ex-Vikings co-DC, dies at 38

Former Minnesota co-defensive coordinator Adam Zimmer has died at 38

NOVEMBER 1, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFL RB rankings: Derrick Henry remains king; where do other elite backs land?

The FOX Sports NFL staff ranks the top 10 running backs in the game, starting with Derrick Henry. Where do Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Ba...

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Did Packers find a path forward in loss to Bills?: NFC North analysis

The Packers lost again, but they may have found an offensive scheme that works for them. Plus, insight on Justin Fields' development.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Cowboys climb, Eagles hold steady in Bucky Brooks' top 10 NFL teams

With the Eagles holding firm in the No. 1 spot, see how the rest of the top 10 shakes out following an entertaining Week 8.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

McCaffrey a triple threat; Dolphins WRs unstoppable: NFL notes and analysis

Christian McCaffrey was unstoppable for his new team. Who can slow the Dolphins? A former NFL scout takes you around the league.

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Cardinals running out of time to make move in NFC West

DeAndre Hopkins has provided the boost the offense needed, J

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Vikings seeing the benefit of leadership change in 6-1 start

Patrick Peterson and Jordan Hicks, two defensive starters for the Minnesota Vikings, didn’t hold back with teammates or reporters regarding the unceremonious endings to their tenur...

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Johnny Mundt - TD catch in win Mundt had a one-yard touchdown reception on his only target in Sunday's win over Arizona.

Impact It was just Mundt's fifth target in his last three games (five receptions for seven yards during that stretch). He's been an afterthought in the passing game once Irv Smith got up to full speed after the first few games after a preseason thumb injury. However, Mundt could be pressed into a larger role with Smith now likely out several weeks with an ankle injury. Still, Mundt's role may not increase too much, as he's not seen as skilled as a receiver.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dalvin Tomlinson - Could miss time Tomlinson (calf) is likely in a week-to-week situation as of Monday according to head coach Kevin O'Connell, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com Seifert reports.

Impact Tomlinson exited Sunday's win over the Cardinals early and was unable to return. His practice status in the coming days will likely lead to a better idea of whether or not he has a chance to play Sunday against Washington.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Irv Smith Jr. - Deemed week-to-week by HC Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Smith (ankle) looks "week-to-week," Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Impact This news isn't all that surprising given Smith is believed to have a high-ankle sprain, which normally sidelines players for multiple weeks. However, it's noteworthy because it's the first official indication that Smith is unlikely to play Sunday against the Commanders. The talented tight end still is awaiting MRI results, so the extent of the situation isn't known yet, but if Smith misses time, expect Johnny Mundt and Jacob Hollister to garner increased roles Week 9.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Beyond Heinicke, McLaurin, Commanders defense coming up big

Taylor Heinicke and Terry McLaurin are getting a lot of credit for the comeback that gave the Washington Commanders a third consecutive victory and justifiably so

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Irv Smith Jr. - High-ankle sprain feared The Vikings' initial belief is that Smith suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's 34-26 win over the Cardinals, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith will undergo further testing including an MRI on Monday, but if a high-ankle sprain is confirmed, the tight end likely will be forced to miss time. Johnny Mundt and Jacob Hollister would stand to handle increased roles and hold down the tight end position if Smith indeed needs to sit out. Smith has logged three straight games with exactly four catches, which he translated into 28 receiving yards Sunday.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

McCaffrey does it all; Vikings are legit; Steelers are a mess: 3 up, 3 down

From huge performances from Christian McCaffrey and A.J. Brown to another Steelers letdown, see who is trending up and who is trending down.

OCTOBER 31, 2022

Greg Joseph - Misses two kicks against Arizona Joseph missed his lone field-goal attempt while making four of five extra-point tries during the Vikings' 34-26 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Impact Although the Vikings have had a strong start to the season, Joseph has been inconsistent in recent weeks, as he's missed at least one kick in each of the last five games. His missed field-goal attempt Sunday was a 56-yard attempt that was blocked just before halftime, but he also missed an extra-point try in the fourth quarter that would have put Minnesota up by two possessions. Over the last five games, Joseph has converted six of 11 field-goal attempts while making 13 of 16 extra-point tries.

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Diggs, Bills hand Rodgers, Packers 4th straight loss, 27-17

Stefon Diggs ran his mouth before running past Green Bay’s secondary as he led the Buffalo Bills to a 27-17 win over the Packers, who are off to their worst start eight games into...

OCTOBER 31, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NFL Week 8 top plays: Bills beat Packers; 49ers, Seahawks roll

Packers-Bills closed out a wild Week 8 in the NFL. Here are the top plays from Sunday's action around the league!

OCTOBER 31, 2022

Vikings' Peterson, Hicks get their revenge against Cardinals

As Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith was in the middle of running back an interception, Patrick Peterson was turned to the Arizona Cardinals sideline with his arms in the air...

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

K.J. Osborn - Secures key touchdown grab in win Osborn brought in two of five targets for eight yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 34-26 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Impact The UM product's five-yard scoring grab with 8:36 remaining put the Vikings ahead for good and served as his second end-zone trip of the campaign. Osborn could be in position for more targets in the short term if the injuries sustained by Adam Thielen (knee) and Irv Smith (ankle) in Sunday's contest linger into a Week 9 road matchup against the Commanders.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Mattison - Scores TD in win Mattison rushed five times for 40 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 34-26 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.

Impact The accomplished backup made excellent use of his scant opportunity, ripping off a 15-yard gain on one of his five carries and contributing a seven-yard touchdown run on another tote. Mattison's score was his second on the ground this season, and the five touches on the ground were a welcome sight after he'd logged a season-low one against the Dolphins back in Week 6 prior to the bye.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings defense closes out Cardinals, leads change in narrative in tight games

Minnesota recorded two interceptions in critical moments to keep the team's unbeaten streak in one-score games intact.

OCTOBER 30, 2022

Kirk Cousins - Three total TDs in win Cousins completed 24 of 36 passes for 232 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-26 win over the Cardinals on Sunday. He also rushed four times for 22 ya...

Impact Cousins had one of his trademark efficient efforts, averaging a modest 6.4 yards per attempt against a Cardinals defense that had done a good job of limiting the production of top receivers this season. The veteran was under a fair amount of duress and took three sacks overall, one which resulted in a fumble at his own 24-yard line that helped lead to an Arizona field goal. However, he made up for it with touchdown passes of one and five yards to Johnny Mundt and K.J. Osborn, respectively, the latter which came just before the halfway point of the fourth quarter and proved to be the difference in the game. Cousins also had a 17-yard touchdown scamper to open the scoring on the afternoon, giving him plenty of momentum heading into a Week 9 road matchup against his old Commanders team.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE