2 years agoMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said on Thursday that tight end Irv Smith Jr. (thumb), who had thumb surgery earlier this summer, is on track to play in Week 1 against the division-rival Green Bay Packers. Smith missed all of last season after having surgery to fix the meniscus in his right knee, but he's expected to be ready to go for the start of the regular season. How effective he'll be and how much he'll be on the field is a different story. The fact that he's missed most of training camp to this point isn't a great sign either. In his two seasons played in the NFL, the 24-year-old has 66 catches (90 targets) for 676 yards and seven touchdowns, but he could break out in 2022 if he stays healthy as the team's top pass-catching tight end. Consider Smith a TE2 in fantasy with upside.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter