Hockenson (thumb) recently said he'll be healthy for the start of the Lions' offseason program, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports. "I'm almost there already, and it's only been a few weeks," Hockenson said. "Just a few more left, and I'll be 100 percent by the offseason."
The tight end had surgery on his left thumb in mid-December, thus wrapping up the 2021 season with a 61-583-4 receiving line in 12 games (84 targets, 7.0 per week). Hockenson now enters the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, though the Lions presumably will exercise his fifth-year team option before the May 2 deadline. He should retain breakout appeal as he enters his age-25 season, especially if the Lions upgrade at other positions this spring. Hockenson is one of the core pieces of Detroit's rebuild and a true three-down tight end.