Irv Smith Jr. - Page 11 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

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 answers

OCTOBER 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

Jefferson's breakout not enough, as Vikings falter at finish

The last part of Justin Jefferson’s first NFL touchdown was so easy he took the opportunity to slow down and tap dance across the goal line

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • Associated Press

Just one reception Smith had one reception for three yards on four targets in Sunday's loss at Indianapolis.

Impact Smith (34 snaps) for a second consecutive week played about an email amount of snaps as Kyle Rudolph (39 snaps) and saw an increase in targets from one last week. However, Kirk Cousins (just a 15.9 NFL passer rating) and the Vikings passing game couldn't get anything going, so it's hard to read too much into Smith's performance. Smith could still emerge as the second or third option in the passing attack, but the offense and team has many issues to solve after two lopsided losses.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Just one reception Smith had one reception for 11 yards on his only target in Sunday's 43-34 loss to Green Bay.

Impact With the trade of Stefon Diggs to Buffalo, there was some thought that Smith could emerge as the second or third option in the Minnesota passing game. After one game, that doesn't appear to be the case, but Smith did at least play 31 of 54 snaps on offense, played one fewer snap than Kyle Rudolph and went out for a pass on 16 of 19 passing plays, according to Pro Football Focus.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kubiak on Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr.: He's taken a 'big step as a second-year player' Who’s ready for Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. to break out in the 2020 NFL season?

SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

Vikings will lean on continuity to overcome key departures

Contract extensions for quarterback Kirk Cousins, head coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman this year have left no doubt about the Minnesota Vikings' belief they can...

AUGUST 26, 2020 • Associated Press

Minnesota TE Irv Smith Jr. listed as a player the Vikings underuse Who’s ready for Irv Smith Jr. to have a big year for the Vikings?

AUGUST 22, 2020 • USATODAY.COM

On the run: Cousins, Vikes realize QB needs to scramble more

Kirk Cousins made significant strides last season as Minnesota’s quarterback

AUGUST 19, 2020 • Associated Press

Hoping for more work The Vikings expect Smith to handle a bigger role in his second pro season, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith was one of the youngest players in the NFL last season, playing a position with a notoriously steep learning curve for rookies. No matter, he played 60 percent of Minnesota's offensive snaps during the regular season and 58 percent in two playoff games, catching 39 passes along the way. Smith never emerged as a high-volume receiver, but he did show some progress throughout the year, and the Vikings expect another step forward this season. In fantasy football terms, there's still the issue of Kyle Rudolph taking a large chunk of the TE snaps and targets, likely limiting the ceiling for Smith's receiving production. The two tight ends had similar stats last year for catches, yard and targets, but Rudolph had a 6-2 advantage in touchdowns. It won't come as any surprise if Smith takes on more of the receiving work in single-TE formations this year.

AUGUST 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Football TE Sleepers: Ian Thomas, Irv Smith Jr., and Taysom Hill (?) among potential breakout tight ends If you miss out on an elite tight end early in your fantasy football draft, you'll be hoping to hit on a breakout later -- even if that mean...

AUGUST 11, 2020 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

IRV SMITH JR. NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

Brees throws for 4 TDs as Saints pound Buccaneers 38-3

Zimmer, Vikings left to ponder where to turn in 1-5 season

Jefferson's breakout not enough, as Vikings falter at finish

Vikings will lean on continuity to overcome key departures

On the run: Cousins, Vikes realize QB needs to scramble more