Smith is expected to miss multiple weeks after he was diagnosed with a high-ankle sprain following his early exit from Sunday's 34-26 win over the Cardinals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The Vikings made it apparent that they anticipated Smith would miss time, as the team acquired T.J. Hockenson from the divisional rival Lions on Tuesday. Hockenson should immediately step in as the Vikings' new No. 1 tight end beginning with this Sunday's game in Washington, and his superior production through his first three-plus seasons in the NFL suggests he'll retain that spot atop the depth chart even after Smith returns. Before suffering the ankle injury, the third-year player had been a serviceable secondary target in the Vikings' passing game, having turned in a 22-168-2 line through the first seven games. However, his injury and the addition of Hockenson means that Smith is a drop candidate in nearly every redraft league.