Irv Smith Jr. - Page 8 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Mostly quiet Saturday Smith corralled one of two targets for three yards during Saturday's preseason loss to the Colts.

Impact Smith made his only marks in the box score during the Vikings' second possession of the game, which resulted in a three-and-out. And with Justin Jefferson (shoulder), Adam Thielen (thigh) and Tyler Conklin (hamstring) all banged-up, the team may opt to rest its starting offense in preseason Week 3 with the regular-season opener in mind. If so, Smith may not experience game action again until Week 1 in Cincinnati.

AUGUST 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. embraces Mike Zimmer's stern approach after blowout preseason loss Appearing on Good Morning Football Thursday, TE Irv Smith Jr. spoke about coach Mike Zimmer's hard-nosed interview during halftime of the Vi...

AUGUST 19, 2021 • NFL.COM

In Session: Summer School with TE Irv Smith, Jr. Minnesota Vikings Latest News

AUGUST 13, 2021 • VIKINGS.COM

Could see increased red-zone role Smith had two touchdowns in practice Wedneday and his role in the red zone looks to expand this season, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Kyle Rudolph left in free agency in the offseason, which gives Smith an opportunity for a larger role. While head coach Mike Zimmer said earlier in the summer that Smith's role may stay the same and Tyler Conklin may be the one who gets a bigger boost in opportunity as the second tight end, it's possible that Smith takes over the red-zone role that Rudolph thrived in with 15 touchdowns between 2016 and 2017. However, Rudolph was 6-foot-6 and Smith is 6-foot-2, so the latter may not have the same efficiency. Smith's usage will be something to monitor in the preseason as he is well positioned for a Year 3 breakout in 2021.

AUGUST 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

3 Observations: Irv Smith, Jr., Showcases as Receiver & Blocker Minnesota Vikings Latest News

JULY 30, 2021 • VIKINGS.COM

Irv Smith Jr. makes eye-popping, juggling grab at Vikes camp Check out the juggling catch by Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. at training camp.

JULY 30, 2021 • NFL.COM

Irv Smith Jr. Makes Juggling Grab During Friday's Practice Check out the juggling catch by Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. at training camp.

JULY 30, 2021 • VIKINGS.COM

Irv Smith Jr.: 'The Sky Is The Limit' For The Offense This Season Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. joins "Good Morning Football" to set expectations for the Vikings, Kirk Cousins and for himself in 2021...

JULY 15, 2021 • VIKINGS.COM

Seeing results from new diet Smith says dietary changes helped him get in better shape this offseason, Mark Inabinett of al.com reports.

Impact The third-year pro made a strong impression on Vikings OC Klint Kubiak, who said Smith was in "phenomenal shape" when he showed up for the team's offseason program in May. Smith was only 20 years old when the Vikings made him a second-round pick in the 2019 draft, and he'll celebrate his 23rd birthday Aug. 9, one month before the start of the regular season. Given his age, draft status and Kyle Rudolph's offseason departure to New York, it's no wonder Smith is one of the popular breakout candidates at tight end this summer. Granted, he'll still be sharing an offense with RB Dalvin Cook and WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, so even an every-down role won't necessarily lead to more than a handful of targets per game. Smith is anticipating a larger role, while Vikings coach Mike Zimmer believes backup tight end Tyler Conklin is the one who needs to step up. "Honestly, I don't think it's any bigger role for [Smith] whatsoever," Zimmer said. "I think it's a bigger role for Tyler Conklin."

JULY 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Irv Smith Jr. sticks to his diet in New Orleans The former Alabama tight end lays off the fried shrimp and po’ boys while preparing for a bigger role with Minnesota.

JUNE 29, 2021 • AL.COM

Irv Smith Jr. practices for expanded role as Vikings tight end The third-year pro has stood out with the starting offense during OTAs.

JUNE 3, 2021 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

Vikings cut TE Kyle Rudolph after 10 years for cap savings

The Minnesota Vikings have released two-time Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph

MARCH 2, 2021 • Associated Press

Irv Smith Jr. highlighted as player to watch in dynasty leagues With it seeming like Kyle Rudolph might be on his way out of Minnesota, we’ll likely see the emergence of Irv Smith Jr. at the tight end pos...

FEBRUARY 21, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Extended Cut: Irv Smith Jr. Mic'd Up During his breakout season in 2020, TE Irv Smith Jr. was mic'd up for sound multiple times. Look back on some of the best moments from those...

FEBRUARY 3, 2021 • VIKINGS.COM

Alabama's Irv Smith Jr. and Ohio State's Jalyn Holmes Talk Trash and Predict The Winner of Monday's National Championship Game vikings.com's Gabe Henderson was joined by Irv Smith Jr., who played at Alabama, Jalyn Holmes, who played at Ohio State, as the two offer th...

JANUARY 10, 2021 • VIKINGS.COM

Solid sophomore season Smith caught two of three targets for 30 yards during Week 17's 37-35 win over the Lions.

Impact Smith wraps up his second season with 30 catches (43 targets) for 365 yards and five touchdowns through 13 games. It's worth noting that the 22-year-old dealt with lingering groin and back issues during much of the 2020 season, missing three games entirely while having his snap count limited in three other contests. Considering that context, and the difficulty tight ends often face to develop early in their careers, Smith's relatively strong showing could result in his becoming a popular third-year breakout candidate for 2021. Of course, the fact that Kyle Rudolph remains under contract with Minnesota would seem to dampen Smith's possible upside.

JANUARY 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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...

DECEMBER 26, 2020 • STARTRIBUNE.COM

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

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Vikings cut TE Kyle Rudolph after 10 years for cap savings

Kamara's 6 TDs tie NFL record; Saints beat Vikings 52-33