Irv Smith Jr. - Page 9 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

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 start

DECEMBER 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 Vikings

DECEMBER 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 Jacksonville

DECEMBER 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 Seahawks

DECEMBER 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

After clutch performance, Vikings need Cousins to keep it up

For all the precision and production that Kirk Cousins has displayed with the Minnesota Vikings, the lack of late-game rallies have left them and their fans wanting more from their...

DECEMBER 2, 2020 • Associated Press

Unable to practice Wednesday Smith was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice due to a back injury.

Impact Smith missed two of the last three games due to a groin issue, but he now appears to be dealing with a new injury. Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com relays that while Smith was in attendance for Wednesday's workout, he wasn't sporting a helmet. Kyle Rudolph will operate as Minnesota's clear top tight end again if Smith can't return Week 13 against the Jaguars.

DECEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Beebe amends for fumble with TD as Vikes top Panthers 28-27

Chad Beebe caught a 10-yard touchdown pass with 46 seconds left for Minnesota shortly after he muffed a punt that let Carolina pad its lead

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • Associated Press

Hinton promoted with all 4 Denver QBs out

With their four quarterbacks all out, the Denver Broncos have promoted rookie receiver Kendall Hinton from their practice squad Sunday to play QB against the New Orleans Saints

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • Associated Press

Downgrades to out for Sunday Smith (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Impact The second-year tight end sat out in Week 10 with this injury but returned to a limited role in Week 11. However, this injury seems to be lingering, as he'll be sidelined once again this Sunday. Kyle Rudolph will operate as the clear No. 1 tight end, while Tyler Conklin sees an uptick in usage as well.

NOVEMBER 28, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely to play Smith (groin) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Carolina.

Impact Smith sat out Week 10 with the groin injury, but he returned for the Week 11 loss to Dallas and played 53 percent of snaps on offense. His likely absence could benefit Kyle Rudolph, who had season highs for targets (five) and yards (63) in the previous game Smith missed, though it was No. 3 TE Tyler Conklin who took on most of the vacated snaps.

NOVEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No practice Thursday Smith (groin) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's practice report.

Impact After practicing in a limited capacity Wednesday, Smith was held out entirely one day later, which may signify a setback with his groin injury. On the other hand, he may have stayed off the field for maintenance reasons. Look for Smith's status to receive some clarification upon the release of Friday's injury report.

NOVEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings could be without the touchdown prowess of Thielen

On an offense that features Dalvin Cook — who leads the league in rushing yards per game — and has big-play rookie receiver Justin Jefferson garnering his own headlines seven-year...

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • Associated Press

Limited to start week Smith (groin/back) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Smith missed Week 10 due to his groin injury but managed to retake the field against Dallas last weekend, hauling in both of his targets for 23 yards while playing 52 percent of offensive snaps. The second-year tight end now also appears to be dealing with a back issue, but as long as he can continue practicing on at least a limited basis he should have a fair chance of suiting up against Carolina on Sunday.

NOVEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

IRV SMITH JR. NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

Vikings' miscues have them on outside of playoffs, again

Brady throws for 2 TDs, Buccaneers wear down Vikings 26-14

Jefferson's rookie season stacks up with the best, even Moss

Vikings outlast error-prone Jags 27-24 on Bailey's OT kick

QB Jones inactive for Giants; McCoy to start at Seattle

After clutch performance, Vikings need Cousins to keep it up

Beebe amends for fumble with TD as Vikes top Panthers 28-27

Hinton promoted with all 4 Denver QBs out

Vikings could be without the touchdown prowess of Thielen