Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: May be targeting post-bye return
Rotowire
The Vikings are thought to be loosely targeting a return from the reserve/PUP list for Hockenson (knee) after the team's Week 6 bye, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.
Minnesota placed Hockenson on the reserve/PUP list upon trimming down to a 53-man roster, which rules the standout tight end out for at least the first four games of the season, but it sounds like Hockenson's return to the field could take until Week 7, after the team's bye. That makes sense considering not only Hockenson's recovery timetable, as he works his way back from right ACL and MCL tears suffered late last December, but also the Vikings' schedule. The team has an overseas Week 5 matchup against the Jets prior to the bye. Until Hockenson is cleared to retake the field, Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver are slated to hold down the fort at the tight end position.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Starting season on PUP list
Rotowire
Hockenson (knee) will be on the PUP list to start the regular season, ruling him out for at least the first four games, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Hockenson has been on the active/PUP list since the start of training camp and will now shift to reserve/PUP on Tuesday as teams cut their rosters down to 53 players. He won't count against that limit for at least the first four weeks of the season, which means his earliest date for a 2024 debut would be Week 5 against the Jets (Oct. 6). Hockenson had the best statistical season of his career in 2023, only to see it marred by ACL and MCL tears on a hard hit to the knee during a Dec. 24 game against Detroit. Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver will take most of Minnesota's TE snaps until Hockenson is ready.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Likely out for start of season
Rotowire
Hockenson (knee) isn't likely to be ready for Week 1 and could miss anywhere from three to seven regular-season games, ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler reports.
While previous reports perhaps came off as more optimistic, Hockenson has always faced an uphill battle to be ready for the start of the season after suffering ACL and MCL tears on Dec. 24. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said last week that Hockenson is, "very well ahead of maybe where some of the medical folks thought he would be," but also cautioned that, "a timeline exists and we're going to try to stay true to that." Hockenson remains on the active/PUP list after two weeks of training camp, and it won't come as any surprise if he heads into the regular season on the reserve/PUP list, which would rule him out for the first four games. In the meantime, TE snaps and targets seem to be up for grabs between Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Robert Tonyan (back).
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Ahead of schedule in recovery
Rotowire
Speaking Friday, coach Kevin O'Connell said Hockenson (knee, PUP) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn ACL, Joe Nelson of Sports Illustrated reports.
"Every time I see him working on the side field it becomes awful tempting to ... demand answers on when we'll be able to stat implementing him maybe off the PUP list and get him a little bit of work," O'Connell said. "Whether it's just simply individual, some routes on air, start getting him some timing with our quarterbacks. ... Where he's at, albeit very well ahead of maybe where some of the medical folks thought he would be, there is an injury there that a timeline exists and we're going to try to stay true to that while also giving him opportunities to push to maybe shrink that timeline a little bit." Hockenson is just over seven months removed from tearing his ACL on Christmas Eve last year. While O'Connell is excited about his tight end's progress, smart money would still be on Hockenson starting the season on reserve/PUP, knocking him out for at least the first four games of 2024. Making it back in time for Week 1 would be unprecedented territory for an ACL recovery. Josh Oliver is expected to handle TE1 duties for Minnesota for however long Hockenson is sidelined, although Robert Tonyan could serve as formidable competition provided the back spasms he's currently dealing with don't linger.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Officially shifts to PUP list
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Will start camp on PUP list
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: No timetable for return
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Undergoes surgery
Rotowire
Hockenson (knee) underwent successful ACL surgery Monday.
Hockenson's season ended when he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee on Dec. 26. Given how late in the season his injury occurred, the star tight end is presumably in danger of not being ready for the start of the 2024 season. He now will move forward with the rehab process as the offseason gets underway.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Exits early due to knee injury
Rotowire
Hockenson won't return to Sunday's game against the Lions due to a right knee injury, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Hockenson suffered the injury on the Vikings' opening drive of the third quarter, when he took a hard shot to the knee following a reception, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. He'll finish the contest with four catches for 58 yards on four targets. The Vikings will likely provide an update on Hockenson's condition in the coming days, but for the time being, his status for the team's Week 17 game versus the Packers is uncertain.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Modest but productive day Saturday
Rotowire
Hockenson caught six passes for 63 yards on seven targets in the 27-24 overtime loss to the Bengals on Saturday.
Hockenson was highly efficient and turned in a solid game for his fantasy investors, but it was easy to overlook his contributions in a game where he was overshadowed by Jordan Addison (six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns on six targets) and Justin Jefferson (seven catches for 84 yards on 10 targets). Addison seemingly remains behind Hockenson in the overall target rotation, though, so Hockenson is a good bet to rank higher in the team receiving category when the Vikings play against Detroit in Week 17.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Leading receiver in Week 14 win
Rotowire
Hockenson caught five of eight targets for 53 yards in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Raiders.
The catches and yards were team highs on a day when both offenses simply couldn't get anything going. Four of Hockenson's five catches came in the fourth quarter after Nick Mullens had replaced Joshua Dobbs under center, however, which bodes well for the tight end in Week 15 against the Bengals if Mullens winds up taking over at QB on a full-time basis.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Finds end zone in Week 12 loss
Rotowire
Hockenson secured five of six targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 12-10 loss to the Bears on Monday.
Hockenson led the Vikings in receiving yards and recorded the game's only touchdown on a 17-yard grab with just under six minutes remaining in the game. The talented tight end overcame a rib injury to suit up Monday night, and he'll head into a Week 13 bye that will afford him some extra rest having scored three times in the last five games. Hockenson next faces the Raiders in an interconference road battle Week 14.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Clear to play Week 12
Rotowire
Hockenson (ribs) does not have an injury status for Monday's game against the Bears.
Hockenson practiced in full Saturday after beginning the week with a pair of limited sessions. He's been dealing with an injury to his ribs since early November, but the issue hasn't caused him to miss any games. Hockenson leads NFL tight ends with 75 catches and 736 receiving yards on the campaign, and he's also notched four touchdowns.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Limited with rib injury
Rotowire
Hockenson (ribs) was a limited participant in practice Friday.
Hockenson played through the rib injury the past two weeks and piled up 15 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown in his familiar three-down role. He'll likely be fine for Monday's game against the Bears, and might be looking at another week without WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring - LP) around to compete for targets.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Team-high receiving yards in loss
Rotowire
Hockenson brought in four of seven targets for 55 yards in the Vikings' 21-20 loss to the Broncos on Sunday night.
The productive tight end paced the Vikings in receiving yards and targets while tying with position mate Josh Oliver for the team lead in receptions. However, it was still an underwhelming night by Hockenson's lofty standards, as his catch total was his lowest since Week 4 while his receiving yards qualified as his fewest since Week 6. Hockenson has shown good early rapport with Joshua Dobbs despite Sunday's downturn, but he could see his overall target share take a hit with the potential return of Justin Jefferson (hamstring) for a Week 12 home matchup against the Bears on Monday night, Nov. 27.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Ready for Week 11
Rotowire
Hockenson (ribs) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's contest in Denver.
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.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Another limited showing
Rotowire
Hockenson (ribs) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Hockenson is operating with a cap on his practice reps this week due to the injured ribs that he sustained back in Week 9. While he played a season-low 68 percent of the offensive snaps this past Sunday against the Saints, he didn't seem worse for wear on his way to 11 catches (on 15 targets) for 134 yards and one touchdown. There's a chance that the tight end will be welcoming back Justin Jefferson (hamstring, IR) for the first time since Week 5 on Sunday in Denver, but Hockenson himself has just one more opportunity to log a full practice before the Vikings potentially hand him a designation for Week 11 action.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Limited on estimated report
Rotowire
Hockenson (ribs) was estimated as a limited practice participant on Wednesday's practice report.
Hockenson's practice reps were capped last week after offensive coordinator Wes Phillips told Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune that the tight end suffered two broken ribs during a Week 9 win in Atlanta. The injury didn't stop Hockenson from suiting up this past Sunday against the Saints, and though he visibly looked to be in pain at various points of the game, he still finished with 11 catches (on 15 targets) for 134 yards and one touchdown. Now that he's back on the injury report, Hockenson's status will need to be monitored, but the expectation remains that he'll continue to play through the pain this Sunday in Denver.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Playing Sunday, but may be limited
Rotowire
Hockenson (ribs) is active for Sunday's game against the Saints.
Hockenson gutted out a rib injury last Sunday in Atlanta, but he still played 85 percent of snaps and gathered in seven of 12 targets for 69 yards and no touchdowns. He proceeded to be a limited practice participant during the entirety of Week 10 prep, and while he's suiting up this Sunday, there's an expectation that he won't receive his typical workload, per Ed Werder of ESPN. With Hockenson handling fewer snaps than normal and WRs Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and K.J. Osborn (concussion) unavailable, rookie wideout Jordan Addison should be on the receiving end of plenty of passes from quarterback Joshua Dobbs, while Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt are the available tight ends not named Hockenson.
... See More... See Less
Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Expected to take on Saints
Rotowire
Hockenson (ribs), who is officially listed as questionable, is expected to suit up Sunday versus New Orleans, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Hockenson has been limited in practice due to the rib injury he suffered in a 31-28 win over Atlanta in Week 9, but he doesn't look as though he'll be forced to miss any game action as a result. The tight end's expected availability is welcome news for Minnesota's passing offense, as wideout Justin Jefferson (hamstring) wasn't activated from injured reserve this week and receiver K.J. Osborn (concussion) is shaping up as a game-time decision. Official word on Hockenson's status will arrive when Minnesota releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff.
