Kyle Rudolph

Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. (groin, back, doubtful) missed practice again Friday and is doubtful for Week 12. Smith is doubtful and it doesn't look like Adam Thielen will be activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list in time to play against the Panthers. In the five games since 2017 that Thielen missed, Kyle Rudolph has averaged 0.80 touchdowns per game. He posted 4-63 (5) in Week 10 with Smith sidelined. Thielen and Smith have combined for 99 targets (9.9 targets per game) this year, so Rudolph could walk into a big role in Week 12.