NFL Player News

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Friday that Hockenson (knee) has been activated from the reserve/PUP list.

In a corresponding move, Minnesota placed left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) on injured reserve to clear a spot on the 53-man roster for Hockenson. After suffering ACL and MCL tears last December and undergoing surgery on his right knee in January, Hockenson was sidelined for the start of the season before he was cleared to practice Oct. 4. With his 21-day evaluation window officially closing Friday, the Vikings added Hockenson back to the roster in anticipation that he'll be ready to make his 2024 debut Sunday, Nov. 3 versus the Colts. Considering that Hockenson hadn't advanced beyond limited participation since he resumed practicing earlier this month, he'll likely need to put in at least one full practice during the upcoming week before the Vikings officially clear him to play against Indianapolis.

Goedert (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest at Cincinnati.

Goedert thus will miss a second game in a row due to the strained hamstring that he suffered back in Week 6 against the Browns. Considering he hasn't practiced in the meantime, he likely will need to do so in some capacity in order to have a chance to return to action Week 9 versus the Jaguars. Grant Calcaterra will assume most of the TE reps in Goedert's stead this weekend.

Knox (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Seattle.

Knox didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but he followed up the absence with a limited session Thursday before capping the week with full participation Friday. With fellow TE Dalton Kincaid (collarbone) also in the clear after an uncapped practice Friday, the Bills' top two options at the position will be available Sunday.

Kincaid (collarbone) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game at Seattle.

Kincaid opened Week 8 prep with back-to-back limited sessions due to a collarbone injury, but a full practice Friday has cleared him ahead of the weekend. Fellow TE Dawson Knox (ankle) also practiced fully to cap the week, so the Bills' top two options at the position will be available Sunday.

Parkinson caught both of his targets for 17 yards during Thursday's 30-20 win against the Vikings.

With Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) returning to action, Parkinson saw his second straight game with just a pair of targets. The returning duo commanded half of Matthew Stafford's 34 targets during the contest. The veteran tight end also saw his usage on offense dip to a season low, taking the field for only 46 of the team's 72 snaps on offense, while Hunter Long (30) and Davis Allen (28) saw their roles expand. The team that drafted Parkinson in the fourth round in 2020, the Seahawks, are up next in a pivotal division showdown Week 9.

Johnson (shoulder) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Chargers, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Due to the shoulder injury, Johnson was a limited participant in practice throughout the week, but the Saints saw enough from him to give him the green light for Sunday. After a slow start to the season, Johnson has picked up the pace with 11 catches for 97 yards on 14 targets across the last three games, though he's benefited from the Saints missing several key playmakers during that stretch. In Week 8, the Saints will get Chris Olave (concussion) and Taysom Hill (rib) back from one- and three-game absences, respectively, so Johnson's target share could take at least a slight hit Sunday compared to recent weeks.

Mundt had one reception for 10 yards on his only target in Thursday's loss to the Rams.

Mundt was intergral in the offense by playing on 31 of the offense's 50 snaps, and he went out on 17 routes, according to Pro Football Focus. However, Mundt could see a reduced role as early as next week if T.J. Hockenson returns from a knee injury against the Colts.

Oliver had two receptions for 30 yards on two targets in Thursday's loss to the Rams.

Oliver is mostly a blocking tight end as he has just six receptions in seven games. T.J. Hockenson's return as early as Week 9 from a knee injury will limit Oliver's limited upside in the passing offense.

Tremble (back) practiced in full Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Tremble cleared the concussion protocol Week 7, but his back injury nonetheless forced him to miss a second consecutive contest. Now, after having logged an LP-LP-FP practice pattern leading up to Week 8 action, Tremble appears to have a solid chance to retake the field on the road versus Denver. Rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders has impressed with Tremble sidelined and is clear of the injury report himself, so if both TEs manage to take the field Sunday, it will be significant to note how offensive reps are divvied up.

Sanders (groin/wrist) was a full participant in Friday's practice and does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Broncos,

Sanders is ready to rock for Week 8, a contest in which he seems positioned to operate as one of quarterback Bryce Young's unquestioned top targets in the passing game. Wideouts Diontae Johnson (ribs) and Adam Thielen (hamstring), the latter of whom remains on IR, are both ruled out versus Denver, while fellow tight end Tommy Tremble (back) is listed as questionable despite logging a full practice Friday. Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore and Jonathan Mingo also will be available to flesh out the wide receiver corps, but Sanders is averaging 6.0 targets and 41 yards per game in his last three appearances and could be Carolina's safest receiving option. However, Sanders' production in those contests came with Andy Dalton (thumb) at the helm.