1 Vikings Injury Concern Was a Total Nothingburger
The Minnesota Vikings have recently picked up some injuries. Various guys, including top players like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, Joshua Metellus, and Christian Darrisaw, were held out in the past few practice sessions. On Wednesday, at least one major contributor returned.
1 Vikings Injury Concern Was a Total Nothingburger
Hockenson left practice on Saturday. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reported via social media at the time: “Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson is headed over to the medical area with a trainer. Walking pretty slowly, had been pointing to leg area.”
The tight end missed half of last season recovering from his severe knee injury suffered late in the 2023 campaign, so folks were immediately alarmed. Lewis calmed those nerves when he added shortly thereafter, “T.J. Hockenson didn’t go inside. Staying out with team but not wearing helmet. Looked like groin area, just walking slowly.”
Going to the locker room is always the first sign of a nasty injury. Kevin O’Connell confirmed that it was just a minor deal a couple of days after Hock’s exit.
On Wednesday, O’Connell then announced that his weapon would be back out there on the field in the following practice session, and indeed, the former eighth overall pick was ready to compete.
Hockenson is a major component of Minnesota’s offense. With him, the Vikings have an elite pass-catching threat in the middle of the field, and those are often the best friend of a quarterback, especially a young and inexperienced one like J.J. McCarthy. He’s one of the rare tight ends that an offense can run an entire game plan through, which is helpful when a defense is focusing too much on Jefferson.
That was the case in some of his best games since the Vikings made the move at the 2022 trade deadline. Perhaps his best game came in the 2022 playoffs against the New York Giants. The matchup was ultimately lost, but the tight end was feasting all day, generating 10 catches for 129 yards, including multiple vital conversions and broken tackles.
In last season’s playoff disaster, Hockenson was once again a rare positive, as he scored the franchise’s only touchdown against the Rams. He also collected 64 yards on five catches along the way.
However, that was his only touchdown all year. After his recovery from the torn ACL, he was brought back slowly. He had some vintage moments, but didn’t look quite right all year. Now with the full offseason, he should be in a better place come September when the operation opens its season in Chicago.
The tight end could be a big asset early on, with Jordan Addison drawing a three-game suspension to start the year. Last year, when Addison missed time, Hockenson was still sidelined. He’ll be the clear-cut second option this time.
In 37 games with the Vikings, Hockenson has caught 211 passes for 2,127 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s one of the premier pass-catching tight ends, but he has to prove that he belongs to that group after a slower year because of the injury.
The big takeaway remains that the 28-year-old is back on the field.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.