The Vikings placed Hockenson (knee) on the active/PUP list Monday. The transaction confirms an announcement by coach Kevin O'Connell earlier Monday. Hockenson is eligible to come off the PUP list at any point during training camp or the preseason, once he's ready to practice, but given the timing of his late-January procedure to repair a torn ACL, the 27-year-old tight end seems like a real candidate to miss some time early in the regular season. Josh Oliver, Robert Tonyan and Johnny Mundt will be candidates to benefit from increased first-team reps as long as Hockenson remains sidelined.
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Status
PUP-P - Knee - ACL + MCL - Surgery Expected Return: 2024-08-10Latest T.J. Hockenson news
Team
Minnesota Vikings
Birthdate
7/3/1997 (27)
Status
Physically unable to perform
HT/WT
6'5", 248 lbs
Draft Info
2019: Rd 1; Pk (DET)
Birthplace
Chariton, IA, USA
Position
TE
College
Iowa
Experience
6 seasons
Career History
Minnesota Vikings
2022-Present
(2 seasons)
Detroit Lions
2019-2022
(4 seasons)
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The Vikings placed Hockenson (knee) on the active/PUP list Monday. The transaction confirms an announcement by coach Kevin O'Connell earlier Monday. Hockenson is eligible to come off the PUP list at any point during training camp or the preseason, once he's ready to practice, but given the timing of his late-January procedure to repair a torn ACL, the 27-year-old tight end seems like a real candidate to miss some time early in the regular season. Josh Oliver, Robert Tonyan and Johnny Mundt will be candidates to benefit from increased first-team reps as long as Hockenson remains sidelined.
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Hockenson (knee) will start training camp on the active/PUP list, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. O'Connell said Hockenson is "well ahead of schedule" in his recovery from ACL surgery that he underwent in late January, per Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but he also said "the significant injury that it was, we want to make sure everything is done the right way." It sounds like the Vikings will continue taking a cautious approach while working Hockenson back into action, and given that the standout tight end still remains without a timetable to return, his availability for Week 1 remains up in the air. Once he's back on the field, it could take Hockenson some time to ramp up to pre-injury form in terms of production, so it won't be surprising if he gets off to a slow start when he's healthy, then improves down the stretch of the 2024 season.
Hockenson (knee) said "they haven't really put a timeline on it" when asked Wednesday about a potential date for his in-season return to action, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports. Hockenson was specifically asked on the NFL Schedule Release '24 show whether he expects to be playing Week 5 versus the Jets in London. The standout tight end said of his recovery from a right ACL and MCL tear he's "kinda taking it day by day, week by week," and that "the progression has been incredible" even though a specific return timetable remains uncertain. Hockenson underwent surgery late January and doesn't seem likely to be ready for Week 1, but Week 5 could be within the realm of possibility. The Vikings have a Week 6 bye, however, so it's possible that a more realistic target for Hockenson's debut could be Week 7 and beyond.
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.