TJ Hockenson injury update: Vikings officially open return window for star TE
Minnesota Vikings (4-0) tight end TJ Hockenson will return to Friday’s practice from the Reserve/PUP list, the team announced.
Hockenson, who tore both the ACL and MCL ligaments in his right knee last December, has up to 21 days to return to the 53-man roster. The Vikings may give him the full three weeks before he returns to game action, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Hockenson, 27, was tracking towards a Pro Bowl season before sustaining the injury on Christmas Eve against the Detroit Lions (3-1), the team which traded him to Minnesota the year prior. The former Iowa standout hauled in a career-high 95 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
The Vikings have had a dream start to the 2024 campaign. With Sam Darnold under center, the Vikings own the league’s fourth-ranked scoring offense, averaging 29.0 points per game. But while Justin Jefferson continues to lead the way, 20 catches for 358 yards and four scores, Minnesota has seen little production from the tight end duo of Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver. The Pair have combined for just 81 yards on 11 receptions.
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Head coach Kevin O’Connell offered a timeline for Hockenson’s return to the lineup.
“Friday gives us 21 days, and 21 days from then gives us the bye weekend, two football games with us playing on Thursday, the second week after the bye,” O’Connell said Wednesday, via the Vikings’ official website. “So that gives us some flexibility at 20 days to have him either ready to go, see where he’s at and his availability for the Lions game, and then, like I said, we have the flexibility for the following [week].
“He’s done a great job. He feels great, but we’ve got to get him acclimated back to football, so that’s kind of the plan,” O’Connell added. “I probably won’t be giving many daily updates on the ‘when,’ as far as his game-day activation, but it’s just going to be great to have him back on the grass with the guys. I know he’s been really looking forward to it.”