The Minnesota Vikings had to shuffle their tight end room again on Tuesday, and Ben Yurosek ended up on injured reserve as the team cleared space for Harrison Smith on the active roster.
That move leaves the Vikings with their top two tight ends firmly in place. T.J.
Hockenson remains the clear No. 1, even while playing on the final year of the four-year contract extension he signed in 2023. Josh Oliver, who also landed a new deal last year, is expected to handle a heavy workload and stay involved as both a receiver and a blocker.
What comes after that has already become a little messy for Minnesota.
Last season, the Vikings spent a sixth-round pick on Gavin Bartholomew out of Pittsburgh, but he landed on injured reserve and never got into a game as a rookie. That opened the door for Yurosek, who had been expected to help fill the depth behind the starters.
Now Yurosek is dealing with his own injury setback. The Vikings announced the roster move Tuesday, writing:
“TE Ben Yurosek has been placed on IR and S Kahlef Hailassie has been released from the practice squad.”
According to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, Yurosek’s injury is not expected to be as long-term as Bartholomew’s was in 2025. Minnesota is hoping he can come back later in the season and provide depth.
Yurosek arrived in Minnesota as an undrafted rookie out of Georgia and played in 12 games last season. He made one start, caught two passes for 14 yards, and wasn’t a major part of the offense. He logged 116 offensive snaps, which came out to 17 percent, but he was more active on special teams with 125 snaps, or 38 percent.
For now, the Vikings will lean on their veteran-heavy tight end group and hope Bartholomew can take a step forward when his chance comes. The second-year player’s role is still unclear, but Minnesota needs him to deliver when called upon.
The Vikings open their 2026 regular season on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, then face another divisional test in Week 2 at Chicago. That early stretch gives them a chance to get control of the division right away.
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