The unthinkable has happened. Now what?
In a bit of shocking news, Vikings tight end, and perennial breakout candidate, Irv Smith Jr. has been sidelined with an injury (link courtesy of Yahoo Sports). THIS TIME, it’s his thumb. I say all of this sarcastically, of course, and I don’t want to make light of injuries, but damn, it’s been a frustrating career so far for the tight end after being drafted in the second round by the Vikings in 2019. The thought is that Smith will be ready by week one this season, and let’s hope that he can make it back by then and stay healthy, but at this point, it’s hard to be optimistic that will happen.
Smith is a talented kid, which is why he’s been projected as a breakout candidate the past couple years. In his first two years, despite being buried behind Pro-Bowl TE Kyle Rudolph, Smith made the most of his opportunities, amassing 676 yards on 66 receptions over a two-year span. He has good speed, reliable hands, and can also block. Last year, after the team parted ways with Kyle Rudolph, everyone thought it was Smith’s year to shine, but he suffered a torn meniscus in last year’s preseason finale (link courtesy of the StarTribune), and Tyler Conklin stepped into the starting role.
This year, the Vikings don’t have much in the way of depth behind Smith. Right now, they have rookie Shaun Beyer, Zach Davidson, Ben Ellefson (NDSU GRAD!!!!!!), Johnny Mundt, and Nick Muse. Yeah, that doesn’t instill a ton of confidence. In fact, the USA Today has already produced a piece looking at 3 tight ends the Vikings could sign after Smith’s injury; Jared Cook, Eric Ebron, and Jimmy Graham. I’m not sure whether the Vikings are sniffing around, but those are all interesting candidates.
I was told that we didn’t have a tight end problem. Conklin to Jets? No problem, right?
Of course, I was told the same thing last year when we signed the immortal Chris Herndon.
Irv be like
Bubble Boy
Did this with the kids last weekend.
what a trip that was!