2 years agoMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that tight end Irv Smith Jr. (thumb) underwent surgery on his thumb on Tuesday, but he's expected to return for the start of the regular season. Smith missed the end of training camp practice on Monday with an undisclosed injury, and it looks like it was related to his thumb injury. While it's good news that the 23-year-old should be ready for Week 1, he's going to lose valuable repetitions with quarterback Kirk Cousins as he attempts to hold down the team's top pass-catching duties at the position. A meniscus injury kept Smith out for all of the 2021 season, but he still has plenty of fantasy upside in an offense that will throw the ball often. Smith had 30 catches for 365 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games (seven starts) in 2020, and he should be considered a TE2 with upside going into the 2022 season.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: Vikings Twitter