7 takeaways from the Vikings Week 7 win over the Lions

There are actually tight ends on Minnesota’s roster

During the Vikings’ first six games of the season, tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr. didn’t really make much of an impact as pass catchers. The duo combined for 16 catches, 165 yards, and zero touchdowns in the first six weeks of the year.

With the early injury to Adam Thielen on Sunday, however, Minnesota had some extra targets to toss around and Rudolph and Smith ended up seeing a bunch of them. The two Vikings’ tight ends were targeted 12 times against the Lions and they combined to haul in 10 passes for 118 yards and a score.

Neither Rudolph or Smith did anything spectacular on Sunday with the ball in their hands. But their involvement in the game plan added another element to Minnesota’s offense that Detroit probably wasn’t ready for.

These two players have been working their tails off as blockers in the Vikings’ rushing attack all season long. But on Sunday, Rudolph and Smith both proved that they can step up as pass catchers as well when Minnesota needs them to.