Last week the Minnesota Vikings lost third-year tight end Irv Smith Jr for the season due to a meniscus injury. He was expected by many to have a breakout season.
They did acquire Chris Herndon from the New York Jets, and he should be a good addition, but likely will not be as good as Smith would have been. He could be better than Smith was last season though.
This injury does not derail the Vikings season, but it remains a crushing blow given how good he could have been this year. Even with a great year from Smith, the offense still could have taken a step back due to offensive line being a question mark again (right tackle especially) and Klint Kubiak being a first-year offensive coordinator.