Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the media Wednesday at Vikings training camp. He spent a large chunk of the press conference addressing tight end Irv Smith Jr. who underwent thumb surgery Tuesday.
According to O’Connell, Smith injured the thumb during an 11 on 11 practice on a typical blocking play. Despite the injury and surgery, O’Connell is confident Smith will be ready for the start of the regular season September 11th. Smith missed the entire 2021 season after tearing a meniscus in his knee which required surgery.
O’Connell says Smith will need to do what he can in order to stay in the shape he was in pre-injury…
Smith and the team is frustrated with the injuries that have kept him off the field early in his career. Despite those injuries, O’Connell believes Smith is ready to handle adversity…
If Smith should not be ready to go come September, O’Connell says he is happy with his team’s depth at tight end…
