Well, it’s officially time for the redemption tour for a Vikings tight end. Saturday afternoon saw the Vikings activate Irv Smith, their fourth-year tight end, off injured reserve on Saturday ahead of their Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears. This move has been expected ever since Minnesota waived rookie tight end Nick Muse.
Smith has been on IR since exiting Week 8’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a high ankle sprain. To that point in the season, he had recorded 22 receptions, 176 yards, and 2 TDs. This was supposed to be Smith’s “breakout” season, but injuries have once again derailed that.