It's been a day of highs and lows for the Minnesota Vikings. Though they signed All-Pro safety Harrison Smith to a four-year, $64 million extension, they will have to begin the season without their starting tight end. According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Irv Smith Jr. is expected to undergo surgery on his meniscus and will miss “at least” the beginning of the regular season.
#Vikings starting TE Irv Smith Jr. is expected to undergo surgery for a meniscus injury that will sideline him for at least the start of the regular season, per sources.
Exact timetable TBD for now, but Smith seemed poised for a breakout season and now it’s on hold.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2021
Pelissero says there is no exact timetable for Smith's treturn to play. If the injury is indeed in fact a tear of his meniscus, the recovery time could be quite lengthy.
Minnesota will no doubt miss Smith, who was set to take a leap in his third season after completing 36 receptions his rookie year and 30 last year. The Vikings went 7-9 last season, led by Kirk Cousins, who made his last Pro-Bowl appearance in 2019. The Vikings will now be a bit shallow at tight end, with Kyle Rudolph leaving Minnesota to sign a two-year, $12 million contract with the New York Giants. Remaining tight end Tyler Conklin will have to pick up the slack.
The Vikings will square off against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals for their week-one matchup on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 12 p.m. CDT.
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