Is Irv Smith Jr. Healthy or Injured? T.J. Hockenson Traded To Minnesota Vikings

As we head into November, Week 9 of the NFL season looms on the horizon. As the season progresses, fantasy managers must deal with injuries to players on their rosters. Minnesota Vikings' tight end Irv Smith Jr. is a player of interest this week and his injury status has forced a blockbuster trade for T.J. Hockenson with Minnesota's divisional rival Detroit Lions at the NFL's November 1st trade deadline.

Unfortunately, Smith left last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury and did not return. Smith had logged four receptions for 28 yards prior to his early exit. With little depth behind Smith, the Vikings have reportedly closed a deal to bring in Detroit tight end T.J. Hockenson.

How significant is Smith's injury? Did the Minnesota Vikings trade for T.J. Hockenson? What is the fantasy football outlook for these players this coming week?

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Is Irv Smith Jr. Injured?

Irv Smith Jr.'s fantasy managers are no strangers to dealing with injury concerns with the talented tight end. Smith was forced to miss the entirety of the 2021 season after undergoing meniscus surgery. However, the 24-year-old has appeared this season in all seven of Minnesota's games. He's managed just 169 receiving yards and two TDs on 22 receptions this year.

Smith was forced to leave last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. It's been diagnosed as a high-ankle sprain that will sideline him for multiple weeks. With little depth on the roster behind Smith, the 6-1 Vikings have reportedly traded with the Detroit Lions for TE T.J. Hockenson.

T.J. Hockenson And Irv Smith Jr. Fantasy Football Outlooks

With starting TE Irv Smith Jr. expected to be sidelined for multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain - and little depth behind him on the roster - the 6-1 Vikes decided to make a bold move at the NFL trade deadline. Minnesota is set to acquire tight end T.J. Hockenson from Detroit in a rare inter-divisional trade.

Selected by the Lions in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, Hockenson is set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He was selected for the Pro Bowl in 2020 and should be an impact player for the division-leading Vikings for the remainder of the season. Hockenson has amassed 395 yards and three TDs on 26 receptions through seven games for the Lions this season. He should immediately slot in behind Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen as Minnesota's third receiving option. With the trade, Hockenson zooms to top-five fantasy consideration at the overall spotty TE position and should be started in all fantasy formats going forward.

While Hockenson's fantasy stock is sent soaring by this trade, Irv Smith Jr.'s value sharply declines. Smith hasn't been very productive to this point and now faces an extended absence with an ankle injury. Upon his return to action, he'll likely be stuck behind Hockenson on the depth chart for the remainder of the season. He can safely be dropped in most fantasy leagues.

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