Oliver had one reception for 26 yards on two targets in Sunday's win over Atlanta.
Oliver returned after missing two games due to an ankle injury. He played on 30 of the offense's 60 snaps, so he was back to his usual workload. He had an uptick in receptions (12 in three games) before the injury, but he may not get as much opportunity over the final four regular-season games with T.J. Hockenson back to full speed after returning from a torn ACL.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Logs full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Oliver (ankle/wrist) was a full practice participant Wednesday.
Oliver wasn't able to practice in any capacity the past two weeks while missing both of the Vikings' games due to a sprained ankle and a wrist injury, but the tight end's ability to handle every rep Wednesday in his return to the field indicates he's more or less back to 100 percent. Prior to the recent absence, he recorded multiple catches in four straight contests on his way to a cumulative 14-174-2 line on 16 targets during that stretch. That said, with T.J. Hockenson slowly but surely increasing his snap share since completing his recovery from a torn ACL and making his season debut Week 9, Oliver may see his role decrease in this Sunday's game against the Falcons.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Ruled out for Week 12
Rotowire
Oliver (ankle/wrist) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bears.
Oliver will sit out a game for the first time this season. T.J. Hockenson is expected to expand his role in his fourth game back from a torn ACL, while Johnny Mundt should see additional snaps in a depth role. Oliver's next chance to suit up will be Sunday, Dec. 1 against the Cardinals.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Not practicing
Rotowire
Oliver didn't practice Wednesday due to ankle and wrist injuries.
Oliver never returned after exiting with a sprained left ankle during the second half of a 23-13 win over the Titans on Sunday. He's curiously improved his pass-catching production since T.J. Hockenson returned from an ACL tear in Week 9, continuing to get plenty of snaps in two-tight end sets while Johnny Mundt has all but been pushed out of the offense. An Oliver absence for Week 12 at Chicago likely would mean more snaps and routes for both Hockenson and Mundt.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Battling ankle injury
Rotowire
Oliver suffered a left ankle injury in Sunday's 23-13 win over the Titans and is scheduled to be evaluated in Minnesota on Monday, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Oliver was deemed questionable to return after suffering the ankle injury in the second half of the contest, but he never checked back in. He played 41 of the Vikings' 73 offensive snaps in the win, finishing with three catches for 34 yards on three targets. Oliver was sporting a walking boot on his ankle in the locker room after the win over Tennessee, per Goessling. A potential Oliver absence in Week 12 would free up snaps for Johnny Mundt as Minnesota's No. 2 tight end behind starter T.J. Hockenson.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Good to go for Week 11
Rotowire
Oliver (wrist/hand) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Titans, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Oliver had his practice reps capped Wednesday and Thursday, but he has the green light to suit up Sunday. T.J. Hockenson is Minnesota's best pass-catching tight end, but Oliver has racked up 110 receiving yards and a touchdown over the last two games while contributing in a blocking capacity as well.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Limited Wednesday
Rotowire
Oliver was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a wrist injury.
Oliver appeared on the injury report in September and October with a wrist injury, so perhaps he's not quite over the issue. He's turned in two straight strong games, producing a combined 9-110-1 receiving line on 11 targets over the last two weeks. However, with T.J. Hockenson back in the fold and likely to see his playing time pick up after playing under half of the Vikings' offensive snaps in his first two games back from a major knee injury, Oliver's role is expected to become smaller moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Surprisingly bigger role in win
Rotowire
Oliver had four receptions for 52 yards on six targets in Sunday's win at Jacksonville.
Oliver had a large role in the passing game even with T.J. Hockenson back and playing at full speed in his return from a knee injury. Since Oliver is primarily a blocking tight end, it's hard to think his run the last two weeks (nine receptions for 110 yards) will continue, especially as Hockenson gets even more integrated into the offense.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Five catches, touchdown in win
Rotowire
Oliver caught all five of his targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 21-13 win over the Colts.
Oliver remained the team leader in offensive snaps at tight end in Week 9 as the Vikings eased T.J. Hockenson back into action. Oliver made the most of his opportunities, most notably reeling in a 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Once Hockenson is up to speed, Oliver will see a dip in usage as the team's No. 2 option at tight end.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Limited in practice again
Rotowire
Oliver (wrist) is listed as a limited participant on Thursday's injury report.
Oliver continues to manage a wrist injury sustained in Week 3, one which he managed to play through during Minnesota's win over the Packers in Week 4. He was also limited in practice Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, Oliver still looks on track to suit up for Sunday's game against the Jets in London and continue splitting reps at the tight-end position alongside Johnny Mundt.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Limited to start week
Rotowire
Oliver (wrist) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice session.
Oliver picked up a wrist injury in Week 3, though he was able to play through it in Week 4 against the Packers, during which he caught two passes for 10 yards and a touchdown. His limited participation Wednesday is likely chalked up to injury maintenance, and barring a setback, Oliver should suit up for Sunday's game against the Jets in London. He's caught four passes (on five targets) for 37 yards and one touchdown through the first four games of the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: TD catch in win
Rotowire
Oliver had two receptions for 10 yards, including a two-yard touchdown, on two targets in Sunday's win at Green Bay.
Oliver started at tight end and played on 46 of the offense's 68 snaps. He went out for a pass on 14 snaps. Despite the touchdown, he's mostly a blocking end with just five targets in four games.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Cleared to play Sunday
Rotowire
Oliver (wrist) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Packers and is expected to play, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Oliver missed some practice reps earlier in the week with the wrist issue but is good to go in a key divisional matchup with Green Bay. The veteran tight end has played more of a blocking role alongside Johnny Mundt at tight end for the Vikings. Oliver has two catches for 27 yards on three targets through three games.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Two receptions in season opener
Rotowire
Oliver started at tight end and had two receptions for 27 yards on three targets in Sunday's win over the Giants.
Oliver had 27 snaps on offense compared to 29 for Johnny Mundt, who had three targets and two receptions for 15 yards. While neither tight end was a major factor in the passing attack, that could change if Jordan Addison misses time with an ankle injury. Still, Oliver is still mostly a blocking tight end who can catch an occasional touchdown.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Catches one pass in defeat
Rotowire
Oliver recorded a 33-yard reception in the Vikings' 30-24 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
The backup tight end saw two targets and played on 19 offensive snaps. Starter T.J. Hockenson left the game early in the third quarter with a knee injury and did not return, but depth tight end Johnny Mundt also saw 22 offensive snaps and three targets. Hockenson is undergoing an MRI on Monday, and if he has to miss time, it could mean a greater share of snaps for both Oliver and Mundt.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Loses key fumble in loss
Rotowire
Oliver had one reception for 15 yards on two targets but lost a fumble on Minnesota's opening possession in Sunday's loss to Kansas City.
Oliver lost the fumble on a reception which set up the Chiefs with good field position early in the first quarter, leading to a Kansas City touchdown. Oliver is a strong blocking tight end who doesn't get many targets, and losing a fumble won't help his case for more opportunities as a receiver.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Gets first TD of season
Rotowire
Oliver had two receptions for four yards, including a four-yard touchdown, in Sunday's loss to the Chargers.
Oliver is mostly a blocking tight end, as he went out on a route on just eight of 27 snaps on offense. He could be an occasional option in the red zone, but it was just his third touchdown reception in 38 career games.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' Josh Oliver: Three receptions in Vikings debut
Rotowire
Oliver brought in all three targets for 32 yards in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay.
Oliver started at tight end opposite T.J. Hockenson as the Vikings opened in a two-TE set. Oliver is mostly a blocking tight end in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense, but did go out for a pass on 13 of his 30 snaps. He won't generate enough targets for viable fantasy value in most leagues, but he could be a factor should Hockenson get hurt.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' Josh Oliver: Sees role increase in 2022
Rotowire
Oliver caught 14 of 25 targets for 126 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.
Oliver saw a role increase in his second year with Baltimore as he played nearly 500 snaps and recorded his first season with double-digit receptions despite the team bringing in two tight ends in the fourth round of the draft. Rookie Charlie Kolar being injured for much of the season helped Oliver carve out a bigger role, and he established himself as a useful blocker in Baltimore's run-heavy scheme. He's due to hit free agency this offseason, and with Mark Andrews already in the fold along with Baltimore's investments at tight end in the draft, it's possible he will be playing elsewhere in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Ravens' Josh Oliver: Little involvement in Week 18
Rotowire
Oliver played 32 of the Ravens' 75 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-16 loss to the Bengals and failed to corral his lone target.
Though the Ravens played the regular-season finale without top tight end Mark Andrews -- who sat out for rest purposes -- Oliver wasn't a major beneficiary. Oliver's 43 percent snap share actually took a step back from his 60 percent mark against the Steelers one week earlier, as Isaiah Likely (88 percent, 8-103-0 receiving line on 13 targets) and Charlie Kolar (44 percent, 4-49-0 on six targets) instead took advantage of Andrews' absence. Because the Ravens value Oliver's blocking skills and ability to contribute on special teams, he's still likely to be active for Sunday's rematch with the Bengals in the wild-card round.