Hockenson (knee) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn right ACL and MCL, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. Hockenson suffered his knee injury the day after Christmas. According to Lewis, even though Hockenson is making quick progress, the Vikings don't plan to rush him back, and the tight end's status for Week 1 remains in question. There's chance he opens the season on reserve/PUP. If so, veterans Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt are next up on the depth chart.
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Status
QUESTIONABLE - Knee - ACL + MCL - Surgery Expected Return: 2024-08-01Latest T.J. Hockenson news
Receiving
2023 Regular Season Stats
REC
REC YDS
REC TDS
YAC
AVG YDS
95
960
5
336
10
Team
Minnesota Vikings
Birthdate
7/3/1997 (26)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'5", 248 lbs
Draft Info
2019: Rd 1; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Chariton, IA, USA
Position
TE
College
Iowa
Experience
6th season
Career History
Minnesota Vikings
2022-Present
(2 seasons)
Detroit Lions
2019-2023
(4 seasons)
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Hockenson (knee) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn right ACL and MCL, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. Hockenson suffered his knee injury the day after Christmas. According to Lewis, even though Hockenson is making quick progress, the Vikings don't plan to rush him back, and the tight end's status for Week 1 remains in question. There's chance he opens the season on reserve/PUP. If so, veterans Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt are next up on the depth chart.
Hockenson has been tending to a rib injury since the Vikings' Week 9 win in Atlanta, but he's still been able to play the last two games on his way to 15 catches (on 22 targets) for 189 yards and one touchdown. During that same span, there's been the looming decision whether or not to activate Justin Jefferson (hamstring) from injured reserve, but the star wideout continues to be listed as limited. Even if Hockenson is rejoined by Jefferson on Monday against the Bears, the tight end should remain one of quarterback Joshua Dobbs' top options in the passing game.
For a second straight week, Hockenson had a cap on his practice reps due to the injured ribs that he sustained back in a Week 9 win in Atlanta. The issue didn't stop him from playing this past Sunday against the Saints, when he put up 11 catches (on 15 targets) for 134 yards and one touchdown on a season-low 68 percent snap share. Now that he's in the clear to continue suiting up for game days, Hockenson may be welcoming back Justin Jefferson (hamstring) this weekend. If that doesn't come to pass, though, Hockenson and rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison will remain the top pass-catching options for quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
Hockenson was Joshua Dobbs' favorite target, and he commanded double-digit opportunities for the third time in four games. Typically utilized near the line of scrimmage, this game stood out for Hockenson due to his work down the field, as he tallied three receptions of more than 20 yards -- highlighted by a 28-yard touchdown just before halftime. While it was an excellent performance, he is likely to have more target competition soon with Justin Jefferson (hamstring) nearing a return from injured reserve.
Hockenson played through the injury after suffering it in Sunday's 31-28 win over Atlanta, finishing seven catches for 69 yards while playing more than three-fourth of available snaps. He seems to have come out of the game with significant soreness but has a shot to avoid any absences after managing limited practice participation throughout the week. Fantasy managers will be glad to hear the Vikings and Saints have an early kickoff (1 ET) given that WRs Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and K.J. Osborn (concussion) also are listed as questionable.
Hockenson was the Vikings' leading receiver during Sunday's 31-28 win over the Falcons, but O'Connell revealed after the game that the tight end was tending to a rib issue. Hockenson is expected to be a limited practice participant to begin the week, but the team hopes that he won't be forced to miss any game action. A better idea of his status should come into focus as the week rolls along.
Hockenson had a quiet first half, hauling in only one of three targets for seven yards. However, he came alive as Joshua Dobbs got settled into the game, with two of the tight end's catches going for key first downs and another setting up the game-winning score in the second half. Hockenson has now topped 50 receiving yards in five consecutive games, and it appears that he'll remain productive even without Kirk Cousins (Achilles). However, Hockenson also suffered an oblique or rib issue, so monitoring his status for a Week 10 matchup against New Orleans will be important.
The tight end's big day was punctuated by a two-yard TD from Kirk Cousins in the third quarter. Unfortunately for Hockenson and the rest of Minnesota's receiving options, Cousins suffered what's feared to be a season-ending Achilles tear late in Sunday's contest. With Nick Mullens (back) on IR for at least one more game, that will likely leave fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall under center in Week 9 against the Falcons.
Hockenson's availability comes as no surprise after the foot injury cost him just a snap or three during a 22-17 win over the 49ers on Monday. He finished the game with season highs for catches (11), yards (86) and targets (12), pushing his per-game averages up to 6.7 receptions for 55.7 yards. The volume alone makes Hockenson a strong No. 1 tight end for fantasy teams, even with his average depth of target sitting at a career-low 6.3 and his red-zone target share at a surprisingly low 10.5 percent. The latter number will likely rise as the season progresses, particularly given that target-hogging wideout Justin Jefferson (hamstring) will miss at least two more games while on injured reserve.