Vikings' Josh Oliver: Logs full practice Wednesday
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Oliver (wrist/ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
In advance of missing the last two games due to a sprained ankle, Oliver wasn't able to practice in any capacity, so his ability to handle every rep in his return to the field Wednesday indicates he's more or less back to 100 percent. Prior to the recent absence, he recorded multiple catches in four straight contests on his way to a cumulative 14-174-2 line on 16 targets. That said, with T.J. Hockenson slowly but surely increasing his snap share (60-plus percent the last two outings), Oliver may not have as large of a workload available to him Sunday against the Falcons.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Back at practice Wednesday
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Oliver (ankle) participated in practice Wednesday, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
It's Oliver's first practice since injuring his ankle Nov. 17. Coach Kevin O'Connell stated earlier in the week on Monday that he expected Oliver back for Sunday's Week 14 game against the Falcons. In Oliver's absence, T.J. Hockenson saw a spiked role, playing 68 and 64 percent of the offensive snaps, while logging a 10-142-0 receiving line on 15 targets. Oliver's return would be a slight negative for Hockenson.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Ruled out for Week 12
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Oliver (ankle/wrist) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Oliver will sit out a game for the first time this season. T.J. Hockenson is expected to expand his role in his fourth game back from a torn ACL, while Johnny Mundt should see additional snaps in a depth role. Oliver's next chance to suit up will be Sunday, Dec. 1 against the Cardinals.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Not practicing
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Oliver didn't practice Wednesday due to ankle and wrist injuries.
Oliver never returned after exiting with a sprained left ankle during the second half of a 23-13 win over the Titans on Sunday. He's curiously improved his pass-catching production since T.J. Hockenson returned from an ACL tear in Week 9, continuing to get plenty of snaps in two-tight end sets while Johnny Mundt has all but been pushed out of the offense. An Oliver absence for Week 12 at Chicago likely would mean more snaps and routes for both Hockenson and Mundt.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Battling ankle injury
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Oliver suffered a left ankle injury in Sunday's 23-13 win over the Titans and is scheduled to be evaluated in Minnesota on Monday, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Oliver was deemed questionable to return after suffering the ankle injury in the second half of the contest, but he never checked back in. He played 41 of the Vikings' 73 offensive snaps in the win, finishing with three catches for 34 yards on three targets. Oliver was sporting a walking boot on his ankle in the locker room after the win over Tennessee, per Goessling. A potential Oliver absence in Week 12 would free up snaps for Johnny Mundt as Minnesota's No. 2 tight end behind starter T.J. Hockenson.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Good to go for Week 11
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Oliver (wrist/hand) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Oliver had his practice reps capped Wednesday and Thursday, but he has the green light to suit up Sunday. T.J. Hockenson is Minnesota's best pass-catching tight end, but Oliver has racked up 110 receiving yards and a touchdown over the last two games while contributing in a blocking capacity as well.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Limited Wednesday
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Oliver was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a wrist injury.
Oliver appeared on the injury report in September and October with a wrist injury, so perhaps he's not quite over the issue. He's turned in two straight strong games, producing a combined 9-110-1 receiving line on 11 targets over the last two weeks. However, with T.J. Hockenson back in the fold and likely to see his playing time pick up after playing under half of the Vikings' offensive snaps in his first two games back from a major knee injury, Oliver's role is expected to become smaller moving forward.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Surprisingly bigger role in win
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Oliver had four receptions for 52 yards on six targets in Sunday's win at Jacksonville.
Oliver had a large role in the passing game even with T.J. Hockenson back and playing at full speed in his return from a knee injury. Since Oliver is primarily a blocking tight end, it's hard to think his run the last two weeks (nine receptions for 110 yards) will continue, especially as Hockenson gets even more integrated into the offense.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Five catches, touchdown in win
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Oliver caught all five of his targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 21-13 win over the Colts.
Oliver remained the team leader in offensive snaps at tight end in Week 9 as the Vikings eased T.J. Hockenson back into action. Oliver made the most of his opportunities, most notably reeling in a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Once Hockenson is up to speed, Oliver will see a dip in usage as the team's No. 2 option at tight end.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Limited in practice again
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Oliver (wrist) is listed as a limited participant on Thursday's injury report.
Oliver continues to manage a wrist injury sustained in Week 3, one which he managed to play through during Minnesota's win over the Packers in Week 4. He was also limited in practice Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, Oliver still looks on track to suit up for Sunday's game against the Jets in London and continue splitting reps at the tight-end position alongside Johnny Mundt.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Limited to start week
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Oliver (wrist) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice session.
Oliver picked up a wrist injury in Week 3, though he was able to play through it in Week 4 against the Packers, during which he caught two passes for 10 yards and a touchdown. His limited participation Wednesday is likely chalked up to injury maintenance, and barring a setback, Oliver should suit up for Sunday's game against the Jets in London. He's caught four passes (on five targets) for 37 yards and one touchdown through the first four games of the regular season.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: TD catch in win
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Oliver had two receptions for 10 yards, including a two-yard touchdown, on two targets in Sunday's win at Green Bay.
Oliver started at tight end and played on 46 of the offense's 68 snaps. He went out for a pass on 14 snaps. Despite the touchdown, he's mostly a blocking end with just five targets in four games.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Cleared to play Sunday
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Oliver (wrist) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Packers and is expected to play, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Oliver missed some practice reps earlier in the week with the wrist issue but is good to go in a key divisional matchup with Green Bay. The veteran tight end has played more of a blocking role alongside Johnny Mundt at tight end for the Vikings. Oliver has two catches for 27 yards on three targets through three games.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Two receptions in season opener
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Oliver started at tight end and had two receptions for 27 yards on three targets in Sunday's win over the Giants.
Oliver had 27 snaps on offense compared to 29 for Johnny Mundt, who had three targets and two receptions for 15 yards. While neither tight end was a major factor in the passing attack, that could change if Jordan Addison misses time with an ankle injury. Still, Oliver is still mostly a blocking tight end who can catch an occasional touchdown.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Catches one pass in defeat
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Oliver recorded a 33-yard reception in the Vikings' 30-24 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
The backup tight end saw two targets and played on 19 offensive snaps. Starter T.J. Hockenson left the game early in the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return, but depth tight end Johnny Mundt also saw 22 offensive snaps and three targets. Hockenson is undergoing an MRI on Monday, and if he has to miss time, it could mean a greater share of snaps for both Oliver and Mundt.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Loses key fumble in loss
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Oliver had one reception for 15 yards on two targets but lost a fumble on Minnesota's opening possession in Sunday's loss to Kansas City.
Oliver lost the fumble on a reception which set up the Chiefs with good field position early in the first quarter, leading to a Kansas City touchdown. Oliver is a strong blocking tight end who doesn't get many targets, and losing a fumble won't help his case for more opportunities as a receiver.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Gets first TD of season
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Oliver had two receptions for four yards, including a four-yard touchdown, in Sunday's loss to the Chargers.
Oliver is mostly a blocking tight end, as he went out on a route on just eight of 27 snaps on offense. He could be an occasional option in the red zone, but it was just his third touchdown reception in 38 career games.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Three receptions in Vikings debut
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Oliver brought in all three targets for 32 yards in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
Oliver started at tight end opposite T.J. Hockenson as the Vikings opened in a two-TE set. Oliver is mostly a blocking tight end in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense, but did go out for a pass on 13 of his 30 snaps. He won't generate enough targets for viable fantasy value in most leagues, but he could be a factor should Hockenson get hurt.
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Vikings' Josh Oliver: Gets big payday from Vikings
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Oliver and the Vikings reached agreement Monday on a three-year, $21 million contract, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
A 2019 third-round pick, Oliver played only four games for his original team (Jacksonville) in two seasons but then developed into a solid backup tight end for Baltimore in 2021 and 2022. He's caught only 26 passes in 35 career games, and while he should see a few more targets in Minnesota, there's not much fantasy upside so long as T.J. Hockenson stays healthy. This move strongly suggests fellow free agent Irv Smith will sign elsewhere rather than sticking with the Vikings.
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Ravens' Josh Oliver: Sees role increase in 2022
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Oliver caught 14 of 25 targets for 126 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.
Oliver saw a role increase in his second year with Baltimore as he played nearly 500 snaps and recorded his first season with double-digit receptions despite the team bringing in two tight ends in the fourth round of the draft. Rookie Charlie Kolar being injured for much of the season helped Oliver carve out a bigger role, and he established himself as a useful blocker in Baltimore's run-heavy scheme. He's due to hit free agency this offseason, and with Mark Andrews already in the fold along with Baltimore's investments at tight end in the draft, it's possible he will be playing elsewhere in 2023.
