The Minnesota Vikings have ruled their star tight end, T.J. Hockenson, out for their Week 7 clash against the Detroit Lions.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter shared the news via Twitter/X.
Vikings downgraded TE T.J. Hockenson and G Dalton Risner to out for Sunday’s game vs. the Lions. Hockenson’s comeback remains on hold.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 19, 2024
Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Hockenson is currently in the 21-day evaluation window and is eligible to be activated at any point.
The 27-year-old is recovering from a knee injury that he suffered on Dec. 24 against the Lions. He is on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Hockenson isn’t the only one who is ruled out and is on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list. Offensive guard Dalton Risner has been rehabbing from a back injury that he suffered during training amp. He is on the Injured Reserve/Designated for Return list.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said that Hockenson was scheduled to miss this week, but he could be back by Week 8 or 9.
“They also have tight end T.J. Hockenson, their star pass-catcher. He’s likely to be out this week, although he’s listed as questionable. More likely a target for Week 8 or 9, coming off a serious knee injury.”
While Hockenson won’t be out there, head coach Kevin O’Connell said that he has done a great job in his rehabbing process.
“He’s done a great job,” O’Connell said of Hockenson’s rehabilitation. “He feels great, but we’ve got to get him acclimated back to football.”
Although Hockenson has yet to play a snap this season, the Vikings are looking like one of the best teams in the NFL. Through six weeks, they sit at 5-0 and are coming off their bye week, ready to take control of the division against their rivals, who sit right behind them.
Once Hockenson does return, it will be his third season in Minnesota, and he has been fantastic thus far as a Viking, recording 155 receptions on 213 targets for 1,479 yards, eight touchdowns, and averaged 9.5 yards per reception.
Prior to his injury last season, Hockenson was well on his way to his first-ever 1,000+ yard and 100+ catch season. Instead, he finished 40 yards shy with 960 yards, 95 receptions, and five touchdowns in 15 games and 11 starts.
This early season game will be crucial for the Vikings as they look to take complete control of the NFC North. Not only will the Vikings be without Hockenson, but they could also be without their starting running back, Aaron Jones.
Jones is questionable due to a hamstring injury, and O’Connell said that he did look good, and the team will see how he feels as we work through the weekend.
“He got some good work in today, and actually, two really good days of work. I always have dialog with those guys [on the medical staff] about what the plan of attack is, whether he’s up and rolling or we need to see anything on game day.
“But I know he’s prepared, I know he’s ready to roll, and we’ll see how he feels as we work through the weekend.”
Vikings will take on the Lions at home with a 12 p.m. CT start.
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