Smith (thumb) took part in individual drills Tuesday with a wrap on his thumb and was on the field for some full-team snaps, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith hasn't caught any passes, but he is expected to soon. Smith, who missed the entire 2021 season after having surgery to repair a meniscus issue in his right knee, had opened training camp in line to participate fully, but had thumb surgery on Aug. 2. Coach Kevin O'Connell said last week that Smith is on track to be ready for the start of the regular season and his return to the practice field is a good sign.

Smith (thumb) is closing in on a return to practice, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Coach Kevin O'Connell commented on Smith's recovery from thumb surgery after Saturday's preseason loss to the 49ers, saying the tight end "will be back on the grass" in the near future. Whether that means merely working with the Vikings' training staff on the side or actually mixing into individual drills remains to be seen, but when he does get on the field, it'll be a sign of progress as he aims to be available Week 1 against the Packers.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Smith (thumb) is on track to play Week 1 of the regular season.

EDGE Analysis

Smith has been able to do work on the side and may be able to catch in a few more days, O'Connell added. Smith, who missed the entire 2021 season after having surgery to repair a meniscus issue in his right knee, had opened training camp in line to participate fully, but had thumb surgery on Aug. 2.

The Vikings are hopeful that Smith -- who underwent thumb surgery Tuesday -- will be ready in time to play in Week 1, Kevin Seifert of ESPN reports. "We still feel very strongly about our process to get him back," coach Kevin O'Connell noted of the team's top tight end, "and hopefully have him -- barring any setbacks -- available for that opener."

EDGE Analysis

Smith, who missed the entire 2021 season after having surgery to repair a meniscus issue in his right knee, had opened training camp in line to participate fully, but now the 2019 second-rounder seems destined to miss most or all of camp and the preseason. In his absence, Ben Ellefson, Johnny Mundt, Zach Davidson, Nick Muse and Shaun Beyer are available to handle Minnesota's tight end reps.

Smith had surgery on his thumb Tuesday, with coach Kevin O'Connell saying afterward that the tight end should be ready for the start of the season.

EDGE Analysis

This explains Smith's early departure from practice Monday and likely rules him out for most or all of training camp and the preseason. He'll have five and a half weeks to recover before the Vikings host the Packers on Sunday, Sept. 11. Next up on the team's TE depth chart are Ben Ellefson, Johnny Mundt, Zach Davidson and Nick Muse.

Smith missed the end of Monday's practice with a possible injury, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

The report notes that Smith left the session early before returning to the sideline without a helmet. It doesn't sound serious, but it'll be worth tracking if the tight end isn't back at practice within the next few days.

Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Smith will be a full participant in training camp after missing last season with a torn meniscus, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith took live reps at June minicamp and now gets a second shot at a breakout in the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. With Tyler Conklin leaving for New York in the offseason, Smith doesn't have much competition for snaps at tight end. The 2019 second-round pick was one of the league's better No. 2 TEs in 2019 and 2020 behind Kyle Rudolph, and he now has a shot at a three-down role in his age-24 season.

Smith (knee) got live reps with the first-team offense at June minicamp and appeared to be a full participant, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith was a limited participant in most of the Vikings' offseason practices prior to mandatory minicamp, slowly working his way back after meniscus surgery Sept. 1. The typical rehab period for the surgery gives him more than enough time to be ready for Week 1, and it now sounds like he's on track for full participation in training camp. Smith could have an every-down role in the fourth and final season of his rookie contract, leading a TE group that also includes Ben Ellefson, Johnny Mundt and Zach Davidson. Ellefson and Mundt could poach some early down snaps while primarily serving as blockers, but Smith is in the clear as Minnesota's best receiving threat at the position.

Smith (knee) didn't run routes at Tuesday's offseason practice, but he expects to be a full participant in training camp this summer, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith is limited in his on-field work, three weeks after Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said the team would "be smart" about the tight end's spring workload. Smith missed the entire 2021 campaign with a meniscus injury, but it sounds like he's a big part of the plan for 2022 under a new coaching staff, especially after fellow tight end Tyler Conklin signed with the Jets earlier this offseason. O'Connell remained optimistic Tuesday, noting that Smith remains "right on schedule" in the rehab process, per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com.

Coach Kevin O'Connell said Tuesday that the Vikings are "going to be smart" with Smith (knee) during spring practices, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Smith may not handle many on-field reps during spring activities, but O'Connell said "there's no reason why he can't hit the ground running from a mental perspective." After missing the entire 2021 season due to a meniscus injury, for which he had to undergo surgery, Smith appears primed to headline Minnesota's tight end room for the 2022 campaign, as long as he can indeed return to full health. With Tyler Conklin having moved on to the Jets, only depth options Johnny Mundt (knee), Ben Ellefson and Zach Davidson can currently offer competition for the top TE gig, which may indicate confidence from the Vikings regarding Smith's recovery trajectory.