Vikings Tight End Injury Update

The Minnesota Vikings made the first trade of deadline day, acquiring tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions. 

This move makes even more sense now as tight end Irv Smith is now expected to miss multiple weeks after he was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain following his early exit from Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. 

Vikings’ TE Irv Smith Jr. suffered a high ankle-sprain on Sunday vs. Cardinals and is expected to miss multiple weeks. So Minnesota now lands TE T.J. Hockenson.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2022

The Vikings made it apparent that Smith was set to miss time with the acquisition of an established starting tight end from their division rival Lions. 

Hockenson will immediately step in as the Vikings TE1 as soon as Week 9's game against the Washington Commanders. Even when Smith returns, Hockenson's superior production through his first three seasons should cement him as the Vikings No. 1 tight end moving forward. 

Before suffering his ankle injury, Smith had been having a decent season, catching 22 passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns through the first seven games of the season. 

Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports