Minnesota Vikings to start rookie quarterback Jaren Hall against Packers

The Minnesota Vikings will start rookie quarterback Jaren Hall this week against the Green Bay Packers, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Thursday. Backup QB Nick Mullens started last week in the team’s loss against the Detroit Lions, going 22-for-36 for 411 yards and two touchdowns with four interceptions.

Hall played earlier this season following the season-ending injury to starter Kirk Cousins. He is now just 8-for-10 for 101 yards in two game appearances.

“He’s had a few great weeks of preparation and I’m looking forward to seeing what Jaren can do,” O’Connell said on Thursday.

The Vikings drafted the former BYU star with the No. 164 overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He will be the team’s fourth starting quarterback this year. They also tried things out with former Tennessee star Joshua Dobbs. Dobbs completed 95 passes on 151 attempts for 895 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions before O’Connell opted to go in a new direction. The Vikings are 7-8 heading into the Week 17 matchup against the Packers.

Vikings TE TJ Hockenson tears ACL, MCL

The 2023 season is over for Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson. The star tore his ACL and MCL in the team’s loss versus Detroit this week and will have to miss the remaining two games of the season against the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.

Hockenson was the Vikings’ leading receiver this season. He had 95 catches on 127 targets for 960 yards, including four catches for 58 yards in the 30-24 loss against the Lions. He also scored five touchdowns prior to his injury this year.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced the unfortunate news during his press conference on Tuesday. Depending on his recovery timetable, Hockenson could possibly be healthy in time for the start of the 2024 season.

The former first-rounder out of Iowa is in his fifth season and playing with his second team. He went No. 8 overall to the Lions before going to Minnesota after seven games last season. Hockenson was having the most productive season of his career prior to the injury.

This offseason, Minnesota made Hockenson the highest-paid tight end in the league. He inked a deal for four years at $68.5 million. The $68.5 million comes out to $17.125 million per year in salary. It also includes $42.5 million in guaranteed money, which is also an all-time high for a tight end.