Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a high ankle sprain in the Oct. 30 win over the Cardinals.
The Vikings have three weeks to activate Smith, who remains on injured reserve, or shelve him for the rest of the season. Both Smith and head coach Kevin O'Connell have said he should play again this year. Smith has yet to play with tight end T.J. Hockenson, who was acquired Nov. 1. When Smith can play again will be determined by how his ankle reacts to practice, O'Connell said.