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The Vikings are preparing to start the season without tight end Irv Smith Jr.

Smith is expected to have surgery for a meniscus injury and miss the start of the regular season, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Maelstrom88 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:52 pm Define start of the season...

Maelstrom88 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:52 pm Define start of the season...

StanM wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 7:50 pm

Maelstrom88 wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 6:52 pm Define start of the season...

I had the same question and did a search. There are two common procedures, one is 3-4 weeks and the other takes six months to recover from. Based on the press release I assume it will be 3-4 weeks and the season is still two weeks out. That would put his return at week two or three. It’s not ideal but they’ll just have to plan around his absence.

J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 7:51 am

StanM wrote: ↑Sun Aug 29, 2021 7:50 pm

I had the same question and did a search. There are two common procedures, one is 3-4 weeks and the other takes six months to recover from. Based on the press release I assume it will be 3-4 weeks and the season is still two weeks out. That would put his return at week two or three. It’s not ideal but they’ll just have to plan around his absence.

Chad Graf of The Athletic is reporting “multiple games.” That’s the most detailed answer I can find so far.

StanM wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:32 am

J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 7:51 am
Chad Graf of The Athletic is reporting “multiple games.” That’s the most detailed answer I can find so far.

If the season was already underway he would miss more games. I’m not a doctor and don’t have any information aside from researching miniscus surgery and seeing what the average recovery time is. Healing from invasive procedures is an individual thing that depends on the type of surgery and the individuals ability to heal. Mileage may vary but at least we have an idea what to expect.

VikingLord wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:02 pm

StanM wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:32 am

If the season was already underway he would miss more games. I’m not a doctor and don’t have any information aside from researching miniscus surgery and seeing what the average recovery time is. Healing from invasive procedures is an individual thing that depends on the type of surgery and the individuals ability to heal. Mileage may vary but at least we have an idea what to expect.

The way I look at it, Tyler Conklin has a chance to be a star right now. Rudolph is gone, Smith is out, the Vikings love to run Cook and the TE is a super important piece of the offense for both run blocking and passing. He's got a chance to shine.

VikingLord wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:02 pm

StanM wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 8:32 am

If the season was already underway he would miss more games. I’m not a doctor and don’t have any information aside from researching miniscus surgery and seeing what the average recovery time is. Healing from invasive procedures is an individual thing that depends on the type of surgery and the individuals ability to heal. Mileage may vary but at least we have an idea what to expect.

The way I look at it, Tyler Conklin has a chance to be a star right now. Rudolph is gone, Smith is out, the Vikings love to run Cook and the TE is a super important piece of the offense for both run blocking and passing. He's got a chance to shine.

J. Kapp 11 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:19 pm

VikingLord wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:02 pm

The way I look at it, Tyler Conklin has a chance to be a star right now. Rudolph is gone, Smith is out, the Vikings love to run Cook and the TE is a super important piece of the offense for both run blocking and passing. He's got a chance to shine.

He does. But there’s a problem.

The Vikings run more 2-tight end sets than any team in the NFL. Now they’re going to have to re-evaluate that for the time Irv is out because Dillon and Davidson simply don’t cut it as NFL tight ends. Not yet.

So I wonder … does our 34-year-old first-year OC, whose offense scored two TDs in three preseason games, have the ability to run an effective offense using 2-back or 3-WR sets a majority of the time? And for that matter, do we actually have a competent third WR?

You know I’m typically an optimist. But I can’t see a lot of positives in a situation where we lose our best player at a position that’s thin to begin with. Hopefully Smith heals quickly.

StumpHunter wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:15 pm

VikingLord wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:02 pm

The way I look at it, Tyler Conklin has a chance to be a star right now. Rudolph is gone, Smith is out, the Vikings love to run Cook and the TE is a super important piece of the offense for both run blocking and passing. He's got a chance to shine.

I kind of like Conklin better anyway. Smith is not a big target like most prototypical TEs and Conklin just plays bigger.

VikingLord wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 11:31 am

StumpHunter wrote: ↑Mon Aug 30, 2021 4:15 pm
I kind of like Conklin better anyway. Smith is not a big target like most prototypical TEs and Conklin just plays bigger.

I think Conklin is a guy who could thrive in a featured role. He might not be as explosive as Smith in terms of route running and getting down the field, but he's an excellent blocker and a big target.

Kapp brought up a good point about the Vikings liking their 2 TE sets. Hopefully they can find a way to work with one primary TE while Smith recovers, but I still think this is a golden opportunity for Conklin to show what he can do as the featured TE.

VikingsVictorious wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 11:58 am

VikingLord wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 11:31 am

I think Conklin is a guy who could thrive in a featured role. He might not be as explosive as Smith in terms of route running and getting down the field, but he's an excellent blocker and a big target.

Kapp brought up a good point about the Vikings liking their 2 TE sets. Hopefully they can find a way to work with one primary TE while Smith recovers, but I still think this is a golden opportunity for Conklin to show what he can do as the featured TE.

Is Conklin even healthy?