Injury forces WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette out for rest of spring practices

The Minnesota Vikings have been dealt an early blow with second-year wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette being knocked out of the rest of the spring practices with a lower-leg injury.

According to coach Kevin O’Connell, per the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson, Smith-Marsette suffered the injury at a recent practice.

It’s a disappointing turn of events for the former fifth-round draft pick, who is expecting to build on the flashes he showed as a rookie in 2021. The hope now for the team is to have him back on the field at some point in the summer.

There truly aren’t a lot of spring practices left with organized team activities winding down and mandatory veteran minicamp right around the corner.

The Vikings recently had veteran receiver Dede Westbrook in for a visit on Tuesday, and after he reportedly turned down a contract offer, they pounced on an opportunity to sign former Miami Dolphins wideout Albert Wilson.

Smith-Marsette was fourth on the depth chart behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn.

The Athletic’s Chad Graff claimed the Vikings’ belief in his talent and development was one of the reasons why they didn’t take a receiver with one of their top picks in the 2022 NFL draft.

There’s still plenty of time between now and training camp for Smith-Marsette to hopefully heal up and get back on the field. In the meantime, Wilson will slot in nicely as the fourth option in one of the league’s most formidable receiving corps.

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List of remaining unsigned Vikings free agents