Rudolph (foot) wasn't spotted at the portion of Wednesday's practice that was open to the media, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph hasn't practiced since Week 13, showing no signs of completing his recovery from a foot injury. Until he gets back in the field, the Vikings will continue to rely on Irv Smith and Tyler Conklin at tight end.

Rudolph (foot) didn't participate in Tuesday's practice.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph hasn't practiced in any fashion for either of the previous two weeks, and his continued absence from the field to begin Week 16 doesn't bode well for his chances of making it back to action Friday in New Orleans. If Rudolph is sidelined for a third straight game, Irv Smith and Tyler Conklin would be in line for increased reps at tight end.

Rudolph (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph hasn't been able to practice the past two weeks and will now miss a second straight game. Tyler Conklin led the Minnesota tight ends in snap share (57 percent) and targets (five) last week, but Irv Smith was more productive with a 4-63-1 receiving line. Smith could take more snaps from Conklin this week, as it'll be the 22-year-old's second game back in the lineup after missing some time with groin and back injuries.

Rudolph (foot) won't take part in Thursday's practice, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

After sitting out the Vikings' Week 14 loss to the Buccaneers, Rudolph has opened Week 15 with consecutive absences at practice. He'll likely need to practice on at least a limited basis Friday to have a realistic shot at playing Sunday against the Bears, but if Rudolph can't go, Irv Smith would be in store for more work as the Vikings' unquestioned top pass-catching tight end.

Rudolph (foot) didn't practice Wednesday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph is in danger of missing a second straight game, after he sat out for the first time since 2014 in last weekend's loss to Tampa Bay. Irv Smith caught four passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in the contest, though he played a season-low 35 percent of snaps after missing three of the previous four games with a groin injury. Tyler Conklin played 57 percent of the snaps, catching five passes for 40 yards on a career-high five targets.

Rudolph (foot) is listed as inactive Sunday at Tampa Bay.

EDGE Analysis

A foot injury kept Rudolph off the practice field all week and now will force his first absence since Week 16 of the 2014 season. With Rudolph out of the picture, the Vikings will lean on Irv Smith and Tyler Conklin at tight end.

Rudolph (foot), who is listed as doubtful, is not expected to play Sunday against Tampa Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph was unable to practice all week due to the foot injury, so it appears his immediate outlook hasn't improved halfway through the weekend. However, Irv Smith (back) is expected to return from a two-game absence and should operate as Minnesota's No. 1 tight end, though he could still be somewhat limited. Tyler Conklin is the only other tight end on the active roster for the Vikings.

Rudolph (foot) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph missed practice Wednesday through Friday, while Irv Smith (back) returned Thursday as a limited participant. We've seen Rudolph take advantage of Smith's absence with a couple nice receiving lines in recent weeks, but the veteran put up a goose egg last Sunday, and he now appears destined to miss a game for the first time this season. Smith is listed as questionable after missing three of the past four games, leaving Tyler Conklin as the team's only fully healthy tight end.

Rudolph (foot) isn't expected to play Sunday against Tampa Bay, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rudolph was held out of every practice this week, while fellow tight end Irv Smith (back) returned Thursday as a limited participant. Rudolph put up 4-63-0 and 7-68-0 stat lines in the first two games Smith missed, but he then finished with a goose egg last week, despite playing 64 snaps (70 percent) against the Jaguars defense. Tyler Conklin also played at least 60 percent of snaps in each of those games, so Smith won't automatically take on a three-down role this week.

Rudolph (foot) didn't practice Thursday, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

On the plus side for the Vikings, fellow tight end Irv Smith (back) was on the field Thursday, but Rudolph's status for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers now looks murky in the wake of back-to-back missed practices.