There were two scenarios for Irv Smith Jr.’s injury, according to PFF injury analyst Mario Pilato. Smith will either be out a few weeks if the surgery is a Meniscectomy or will be out for the whole season if the surgery is a Meniscus Repair.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, it’s looking like the latter. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Smith is likely to miss all of 2021, based on a 4-5 month recovery timetable for his injury
Smith was finally stepping into the role of primary tight end this season after Kyle Rudolph signed with the Giants. Now, he will have to wait. Minnesota still has Tyler Conklin, who could be looking at a role larger than the second tight end now that Smith is absent.
There’s also Chris Herndon, a former Jets tight end the Vikings acquired in a trade on Tuesday. The trade is pending a physical, but assuming that he passes it, Minnesota will have another player who can help replace Smith’s production. The Vikings gave up a 2022 fourth-round pick in exchange for Herndon and a 2022 sixth-rounder.