Vikings Star Ruled Out for Start of the Season
The Minnesota Vikings have been injury-plagued all year, starting with Mekhi Blackmon’s season-ending ACL tear. His absence has led to a bunch of moves in the secondary. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has joined him on IR with his torn meniscus. Tight end T.J. Hockenson suffered a knee injury at the end of last season and hasn’t been on the practice field (with his teammates) since.
Vikings Star Ruled Out for Start of the Season
Hockenson has always been expected to miss time after tearing both his ACL and his MCL in Week 16 when former teammate Kerby Joseph torpedoed into his knee.
His surgery was delayed until late January because of his swelling, which extended the recovery timeline. He has yet to participate in team practices and worked on the sidelines throughout training camp. While earning praise for his work ethic, a return doesn’t seem imminent.
On Tuesday, Adam Schefter reported on X: “Minnesota is leaving TE T.J. Hockenson on the Physically Unable to Perform List, which means he is ineligible to be active during the first four games of the season, per sources. Hockenson still is recovering from last season’s torn ACL but is expected to return this season.”
Hockenson is a huge part of Minnesota’s offense, as he is a key blocker in the rushing attack and the secondary weapon in the passing game.
Since joining Minnesota via trade right before the 2022 trade deadline, the former eighth-overall pick has caught 155 passes for 1,479 yards and eight touchdowns. He added an outstanding playoff debut, producing 129 yards on ten receptions.
Hockenson’s absence will open targets and snaps for other contributors next to Justin Jefferson. Perhaps sophomore Jordan Addison could be in line to get an additional target per game, but he is dealing with an ankle sprain, which might end up hurting his availability and explosiveness.
Fellow tight end Josh Oliver will continue to be the blocking specialist but could also command more work in the passing game. Johnny Mundt stepped up last year after Hockenson’s injury. He once again drew a ton of praise from Kevin O’Connell just last week.
The head coach said: “You guys know I’m always good for some Johnny Mundt talk. Every time you look up, he’s making a play. Sometimes noteworthy in the passing game, sometimes it’s just a great block, sometimes it’s the way Josh Oliver and him are working together. He’s just got such a good feel and poise. He always seems to be in the right spots, doing the right thing with great technique. Those players tend to be favorites of coaches. Johnny has been great. There’s a reason why he’s been here really every day since I’ve gotten here.”
Expecting him to be on the field and getting some of Hockenson’s targets isn’t too far-fetched.
The Vikings could also deploy veteran Robert Tonyan. He has the pass-catching resume to replace the Pro Bowler to some extent, but he has also been dealing with an injury, and his roster status and gameday status for Week 1 is unknown.
Hockenson is fully expected to return at some point in the season. Week 7, right after the bye week, has been a popular speculation for his return. The Vikings need him back to fully unlock the offense.
He is ineligible to play in the first four games of the season.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt