NFL News: Former Vikings draft pick conveniently signed by Texans before Week 3 game

Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. has landed with a new team this week after signing with the Houston Texans, who just so happen to be traveling to the Twin Cities this weekend for a matchup inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

Smith joins the Texans after Houston lost tight end Brevin Jordan to a torn ACL during the team's Week 2 win over the Chicago Bears. Jordan will miss the remainder of the 2024 season because of the injury.

Smith has been looking for a new team ever since he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs in August as part of their final cuts before the start of the 2024 regular season.

Former Minnesota Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. signs with Houston Texans

After he was selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Smith entered the league with some high expectations. But due to injuries and other circumstances, the veteran tight end hasn't been able to reach his potential during his time in the NFL.

Smith hauled in at least 30 passes in each of his first two seasons with Minnesota, but a preseason knee injury forced him to miss the entire 2021 campaign. He was able to fully recover from his knee injury, but then a high ankle sprain forced him to miss nine more games during the 2022 season.

In 2023, he hit free agency, and he was eventually given a fresh start by the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately, Smith wasn't able to really fit in well with the Bengals and he ended his lone season with the team with 18 catches for 115 yards and one touchdown.

Smith became a free agent again earlier this year, and he landed a deal with the Chiefs. Some believed he performed well enough in training camp and the preseason this summer to earn a spot on Kansas City's final roster, but that's not what ended up happening.

If he's activated for Sunday's contest between the Vikings and Texans, Smith's first game of the season will take where he made his NFL debut inside U.S. Bank Stadium.