Irv Smith Jr. - Page 10 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Learning Vikings defense takes another lesson in defeat

For the sixth time in the last eight games the Minnesota Vikings had their under-construction defense on the field down the stretch with the opportunity to seal a victory

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • Associated Press

Two receptions Sunday Smith had two receptions for 23 yards on two targets in Sunday's loss to Dallas.

Impact Smith returned after missing a game due to a groin injury. He played on 33 of the offense's 65 snaps. Meanwhile, Kyle Rudolph had three receptions and played on 45 snaps. Both tight ends get only a minor portion of the targets with Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson commanding almost all the activity in the passing game. However, the passing attack may need to diversify the targets if Thielen misses time this week after landing on the COVID-19 list.

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Streak stop: Dalton's 3 TDs lift Cowboys past Vikings 31-28

Andy Dalton returned from a two-game absence to throw three touchdown passes for Dallas

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 • Associated Press

Active in Week 11 Smith (groin) is active for Sunday's Week 11 tilt against the Cowboys.

Impact The athletic tight end was trending in the right direction after a week of limited practices, and his active status after a one-week absence is now official. Smith notched touchdown grabs on each of his two receptions in Week 9 against the Lions before missing the Week 10 win over the Bears, and he'll look for similar success versus a vulnerable Cowboys defense that's surrendered 39-386-5 line to tight ends this season.

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Drew Lock gets start at QB for Broncos vs. Dolphins

Drew Lock will get the start at quarterback when the Denver Broncos host the Miami Dolphins despite missing practice Wednesday with bruised ribs and a strained oblique he sustained...

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • Associated Press

Expected to play Sunday Smith (groin), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cowboys, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Confirmation on his availability will arrive upon the release of the Vikings' inactives in advance of Sunday's 4:25 ET kickoff. Prior to sitting out the team's Week 10 win over the Bears, Smith -- who was limited in practices Wednesday through Friday -- compiled 13 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns through eight games.

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Special teams giving Vikings plenty of trouble this season

The low moment of Minnesota's most recent game at Chicago came when Cordarrelle Patterson returned the second-half kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown

NOVEMBER 21, 2020 • Associated Press

Questionable to face Dallas Smith (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Dallas, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Smith appears truly questionable after logging limited practices throughout the week. He was held out of the 19-13 win over Chicago on Monday, when fellow tight end Kyle Rudolph responded with season highs for targets (five), catches (four) and yards (63). However, Rudolph's 78 percent snap share was about the same as usual, while Tyler Conklin got the big bump in playing time, with 63 percent easily his season high. None of the bunch is a strong bet to see more than three or four targets, regardless of Smith's status.

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Practice reps capped Thursday Smith (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact After sitting out the Vikings' win over the Bears on Monday, Smith has had his reps capped in the team's first two practices of Week 11. The tight end appears to be trending toward a return to the lineup this weekend against the Cowboys, but Smith would ideally upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice to clear up any concern about his availability.

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Bumps up to limited Smith was limited by a groin injury at Wednesday's practice.

Impact Prior to sitting out Week 10 in Chicago, Smith didn't practice at all, so it appears he's taking a step in the right direction. Still, his status should be watched closely to get a sense of his odds to return Sunday versus the Cowboys. If not, the Vikings will go with Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Conklin at tight end.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Ezra Cleveland sidelined by ankle injury; Irv Smith Jr. returns to practice The Vikings gained one starter and lost another on offense during Wednesday's practice. Right guard Ezra Cleveland was not at the portion of...

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Cousins steps back to forefront for Vikings with Cook slowed

The Minnesota Vikings helped Kirk Cousins get back in a groove this month after his rash of turnovers contributed to the team’s 1-5 start

NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • Associated Press

Top Fantasy Football Streaming Tight Ends for Week 11 The tight end position is a pretty tricky one. Outside of a few elite producers at the top of the position, there just aren't that many reli...

NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM

Cousins, Vikings overcome Patterson return, beat Bears 19-13

Kirk Cousins threw for 292 yards and two touchdowns, and the Minnesota Vikings overcame a 104-yard kickoff return by Chicago’s Cordarrelle Patterson to beat the Bears 19-13

NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • Associated Press

Bears activate Whitehair, Miller for game against Vikings

The Chicago Bears activated center Cody Whitehair from the reserve/COVID-19 list and running back Lamar Miller from the practice squad prior to their game against the Minnesota Vik...

NOVEMBER 17, 2020 • Associated Press

Vikings cut Elflein; former starter had slow injury recovery

The Minnesota Vikings waived guard Pat Elflein in the middle of another injury-impacted season

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • Associated Press

Out for Monday Smith (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's contest against the Bears.

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

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 week

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • Associated Press

NFL Today, Week 9

NOVEMBER 9, 2020 • Associated Press

IRV SMITH JR. NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

Learning Vikings defense takes another lesson in defeat

Streak stop: Dalton's 3 TDs lift Cowboys past Vikings 31-28

Drew Lock gets start at QB for Broncos vs. Dolphins

Special teams giving Vikings plenty of trouble this season

Cousins steps back to forefront for Vikings with Cook slowed

Cousins, Vikings overcome Patterson return, beat Bears 19-13

Bears activate Whitehair, Miller for game against Vikings

Vikings cut Elflein; former starter had slow injury recovery

Cook hasn't broken stride despite early stumble by Vikings

NFL Today, Week 9