Irv Smith Jr. likely out for 2021 season

When it was first revealed that Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. had suffered a torn meniscus, we were told that his recovery time would not be known until after the surgery to repair it was complete.

Well, the surgery is done. . .and the news is bad.

Per numerous reports, Irv Smith Jr. will need four to five months to recover, meaning that his 2021 season is over before it started.

Smith Jr. was a player that had been frequently cited this offseason and into the preseason as someone that was poised for a breakout year in 2021. He was the presumptive #1 tight end with Kyle Rudolph’s departure and really started to come on at the end of last season. Unfortunately, any “breakout” is now going to have to wait until at least 2022.

With Smith’s injury, the tight end burden will now fall on Tyler Conklin and the newly acquired Chris Herndon in an offense that prominently features two-tight end sets. Hopefully the offense will be able to adjust accordingly.

Once again, Minnesota Vikings’ tight end Irv Smith Jr. will need at least four months of recover time following meniscus surgery, and his 2021 season appears to be over.