Smith (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

After sitting out the Vikings' win over the Bears on Monday, Smith has had his reps capped in the team's first two practices of Week 11. The tight end appears to be trending toward a return to the lineup this weekend against the Cowboys, but Smith would ideally upgrade to full participation in Friday's practice to clear up any concern about his availability.

Smith was limited by a groin injury at Wednesday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to sitting out Week 10 in Chicago, Smith didn't practice at all, so it appears he's taking a step in the right direction. Still, his status should be watched closely to get a sense of his odds to return Sunday versus the Cowboys. If not, the Vikings will go with Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Conklin at tight end.

Smith (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Monday's contest against the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Smith failed to practice all week so this designation is hardly surprising. Expect Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Conklin to see a bump in targets with the second-year tight end unable to play.

Smith (groin) missed another practice Friday, but offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is optimistic the tight end will be ready for Monday's game against the Bears, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kubiak may be optimistic, but the back-to-back absences suggest Smith is likely to enter the game with an injury designation. The Vikings will have until Saturday afternoon/evening to make that determination, with Kyle Rudolph potentially in line for extra targets if Smith ends up absent or limited Monday.

Smith didn't practice Thursday due to a groin injury.

EDGE Analysis

On the heels of a two-touchdown performance Week 9 against the Lions, Smith is focusing on recovery rather than practice to kick off Week 10 prep. He'll have two more opportunities to prove his health before the Vikings potentially tab him with a designation for Monday's game at Chicago, but an absence from Smith would vault Tyler Conklin into a bigger role behind veteran TE Kyle Rudolph.

Smith hauled in two of four passes for 10 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 34-20 win against the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Smith had a pair of scoring strikes in the first and third quarters, bringing his number of red-zone targets on the season to six through eight games. While he's closing in on his number of those looks from last season (10), he otherwise hasn't contributed a ton to box scores this season -- 13-159-2 line on 21 targets -- working behind Kyle Rudolph (42 of 58 snaps on offense) and even fellow tight end Tyler Conklin (25) on Sunday (Smith earned 22). As a result, it's difficult to trust in Smith on a weekly basis.

Smith hauled in his lone target for a 16-yard gain Sunday in the Vikings' 28-22 win over the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

High-speed winds in Green Bay along with Dalvin Cook's dominance on the ground muted the Minnesota passing game, as quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted a season-low 14 throws in the victory. As a result, Smith and Minnesota's other pass catchers were held to modest box-score lines, with Adam Thielen leading all Vikings receivers and tight ends with three catches for 27 yards. Better days should be ahead for Smith, but so long as the game flow allows for it, the Vikings again could opt for a ground-oriented game plan Week 9 against a vulnerable Lions run defense.

Smith hauled in four of his five targets for 55 receiving yards during Sunday's 40-23 loss to the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

The 22-year-old was obsolete in the passing game Weeks 1 through 4, managing only two total receptions for 14 yards despite playing 143 offensive snaps during that span. Smith has become much more involved as a receiver of late, posting a season-high 59 offensive snaps last week while recording four receptions for 64 yards against the Seahawks. The Alabama product now has eight receptions and 119 receiving yards in his past two outings as Minnesota moves into its Week 7 bye before battling Green Bay on Nov. 1.

Smith nabbed four of five targets for 64 yards Sunday in the Vikings' 27-26 loss to the Seahawks.

EDGE Analysis

Smith accounted for two of the Vikings' three biggest plays on the night, reeling in receptions of 25 and 23 yards. Despite turning in his biggest game of the season, Smith was still out-snapped by position mate Kyle Rudolph, 64-59, though Smith ran a route on 72.7 percent of the Vikings' pass plays, according to Pro Football Focus. If the Vikings continue to reserve Rudolph for more blocking duties in future games, Smith could have a chance at building on his Week 5 breakout and emerging as the No. 3 option in the passing game behind wideouts Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson.

Smith did not have a reception and was only targeted once in Sunday's win at Houston.

EDGE Analysis

Smith has been a non-factor in the passing game with just two receptions for 14 yards in four games this season. The tight ends are not an active part of the passing game in Minnesota's offense, as Kyle Rudolph has just six receptions, despite game scripts that have seen the Vikings needing to pass while trailing or in high-scoring games.