Irv Smith

Player News

• Vikings' Irv Smith Jr.: Finishes with 311 yards

  01/14/2020 •

  Smith caught 36 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games this season. The rookie second-round pick ended up played a sizable role for the Vikings during his debut campaign with 620 offensive snaps, and he also put up similar numbers to top tight end Kyle Rudolph (39 catches for 367 yards and six touchdowns). Rudolph figures to enter training camp atop the depth chart, but Smith could carve out a larger role in the passing game in 2020.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Vikings' Irv Smith Jr.: Gains 11 yards

  12/31/2019 •

  Smith caught one of two targets for 11 yards during Sunday's 21-19 loss to Chicago. Sunday's performance snapped a three-game streak in which Smith caught multiple passes. Having Sean Mannion under center while Kirk Cousins rested Sunday makes the performance hard to weigh, but the rookie tight end has been on a bit of a downswing with 20 or fewer yards in five of his last six games, though he has scored twice in that span. The Vikings travel to New Orleans for a wild-card matchup Sunday.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Vikings' Irv Smith Jr.: Kept to four yards

  12/25/2019 •

  Smith caught two of three targets for four yards during Monday's 23-10 loss to Green Bay. Smith has now been held to single-digit receiving yardage in three of his last four games. The rookie tight end has garnered more snaps than your typical No. 2 TE, with at least 30 offensive snaps in every game since Week 5, and has been targeted at least three times in nine consecutive games. That hasn't translated much into production, however, as Smith has mostly served as an underneath option this season. The regular season ends Sunday against a Bears squad that surrendered a single five-yard catch to Smith in Week 4.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Vikings' Irv Smith Jr.: Catches second touchdown

  12/16/2019 •

  Smith had two receptions for eight yards, including a one-yard touchdown, on three targets in Sunday's win at the Chargers. Minnesota didn't need to do much in the passing game in the second half with a large lead, which may have limited Smith's targets, but he did add his second touchdown catch of the season. He's had three or more targets in eight consecutive games despite the low yardage total Sunday and still was a factor in the passing game with Adam Thielen returning from a hamstring injury. Smith could see increased targets next week if Minnesota's passing game is needed more against Green Bay.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Vikings' Irv Smith Jr.: Three receptions Sunday

  12/10/2019 •

  Smith had three receptions for 21 yards on four targets in Sunday's win over Detroit. He started the game in a two-TE set with Kyle Rudolph and ended up playing more snaps (51) than Rudolph (46). Smith has become a larger part of the offense as the season progressed, especially with Adam Thielen sidelined with a hamstring injury, but the rookie has just four receptions the past two games. Smith didn't get targeted much in Sunday's game once the Vikings had a large lead and turned to the running game.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE