Vikings TE Irv Smith has been activated from IR, putting him on track to play vs. the Bears on Sunday. He's been out since going down with a significant high-ankle sprain in Week 8. Smith's return is a boost to Minnesota's passing game, but he's unlikely to be a big fantasy factor in the postseason behind TE T.J. Hockenson.

Vikings TE Irv Smith (ankle) has been designated to return from IR. He's been out since going down with a significant high-ankle sprain in Week 8. Minnesota, of course, swung a deal for TE T.J. Hockenson since then. Smith's return could be a slight boost to the Vikings passing game, but he won't be a fantasy factor in the regular season or playoffs, barring a Hockenson injury.

Vikings TE Irv Smith suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Cardinals. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that he's expected to miss "multiple weeks." Smith shouldn't expect to find starter opportunities when he returns, after his team traded multiple draft picks for T.J. Hockenson. Smith can be dropped in all non-dynasty fantasy football formats.

Update: Smith is expected to be out 8-10 weeks, per Schefter.

Vikings TE Irv Smith suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's win over the Cardinals, insider Chris Tomasson reports. Smith is getting an MRI on Monday to get a better look at the damage, but he figures to miss multiple games. He's droppable in standard-sized fantasy leagues. Smith's absence leaves lead TE duties to Johnny Mundt, who owns just 22 career catches, with 12 of them coming this season. We should see more volume funneled to WRs Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn with Smith out.

Vikings TE Irv Smith suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the Cardinals, HC Kevin O'Connell said afterward. Smith will get an MRI on Monday, so we should get another update on his status then.

Vikings TE Irv Smith posted a bizarre Week 6 line at Miami: 4 catches, 7 yards and 1 TD. Smith scored at the goal line when he blocked and released to find plenty of open space. Overall, his 4 targets ranked 4th on the team behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn. There hasn't been a ceiling to chase here, but Smith does enter a Week 7 bye with 3+ catches in 4 of his past 5 matchups. He could be a top-15 option in Week 8 vs. Arizona.

After a pair of down weeks, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson racked up 10 catches for 147 yards in Sunday's win over the Saints in London. He added a 3-yard rushing score as well. Jefferson's 13 targets stood 4 ahead of Adam Thielen and 9 ahead of #3 Irv Smith. Thielen caught 8 balls for 72 yards. Smith contributed 23 yards on 3 catches. Dalvin Cook was the only other Viking with more than 1 reception.

Vikings TE Irv Smith jumped from 31% playing time in the opener to 56% in Monday night's loss at Philadelphia. He finished 2nd on the team with 8 targets -- trailing only Justin Jefferson (12) -- catching 5 balls for 36 yards and the team's lone TD. TE Johnny Mundt, meanwhile, dipped from 65% Week 1 playing time to 46% against the Eagles. We certainly wouldn't bet on 8 targets a week or even the 17.4% target share becoming Smith's norm. But he'd be in weekly lineup consideration if he can live north of 50% playing time.

Vikings TE Irv Smith played just 31% of the offensive snaps and ran a route on 45% of pass plays in Sunday's opener vs. the Packers. He finished catch-less on 2 targets. Smith wasn't listed on the Week 1 injury report, but we're assuming he was limited because he missed 3 weeks in August after thumb surgery. Smith's role figures to grow -- and he's worth keeping on fantasy rosters. But he can't be trusted in fantasy lineups until we see the route rate climb.

Vikings TE Irv Smith is not listed on the Week 1 injury report. He missed about 3 weeks in August after undergoing thumb surgery but has been practicing for about 2-and-a-half weeks now. He'll be out there for Sunday's opener vs. the Packers.

Vikings TE Irv Smith practiced Monday for the 1st time since thumb surgery 3 weeks ago. That aligns with previous reports that he was on track to be ready for Week 1. Smith has remained high in TE2 territory in our fantasy football rankings.

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that TE Irv Smith is "on track" for Week 1. Smith is recovering from August 2 thumb surgery. It sounds like rehab has gone well, but it's still concerning that Smith will miss most of August -- after missing the entire 2021 season with a knee injury. He'll be tough to trust in fantasy lineups early in the season, although there's still top-12 upside here.

Vikings TE Irv Smith underwent thumb surgery on Tuesday, HC Kevin O'Connell said. O'Connell expects Smith to be ready for the start of the season, but we'll track his rehab. The missed practice time isn't ideal for a young player who missed all of 2021 with a knee injury and is now learning a new offense. There's no viable pass-catching TE behind Smith on Minnesota's roster.

Vikings TE Irv Smith "looked like a full participant" in last week's minicamp, according to The Athletic's Chad Graff. Smith was limited in OTAs coming off last August's meniscus tear, but it doesn't look like that injury will be an issue as we roll into training camp. Smith has some breakout potential in new HC Kevin O'Connell's offense.

New Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell is excited about TE Irv Smith's potential in his offense. "I've said this before, going back and watching some of his tape even before the injury, I know there was a lot of folks excited about him last fall before that injury happened," O'Connell said. "Some of the success he's had -- both with how we're going to use him and ultimately where he is at in his career -- he's ready to absorb all of this and be in a position to go play fast, go play with a bunch of confidence that he's going to be a major part of what we do." Smith is still working his way back from August's meniscus injury, but the Vikings reportedly expect him to be at 100% for the start of training camp. After Minnesota failed to add a significant upgrade at WR behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, there's room for Smith to carve out a significant role this season.