Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson will make his season debut in the team’s “Sunday Night Football” game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.
Hockenson missed the first eight weeks of the season as he recovered from a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee, which he sustained in December 2023. The Vikings opened his practice window to return on Oct. 4.
HE’S BAAAAACK 😎@TheeHOCK8 pic.twitter.com/a3qxYIB9HW
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 1, 2024
The 27-year-old returns to a Minnesota squad that is 5-2, but has lost two straight games. With quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Aaron Jones and wide receiver Justin Jefferson leading the way, the team’s offense ranks seventh in points per game (26.9). But the tight end position has only produced 21 receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
Hockenson was acquired by Minnesota via an in-season trade with NFC North rival Detroit in 2022. Last season, he led the team in receptions (95) and targets (127), while finishing second in receiving yards (960) and touchdowns (five). Before his season-ending injury in Week 16, it was a career-best season for the two-time Pro Bowler.
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What does Hockenson’s return mean?
Hockenson caught 95 passes last year. So, there is zero question about Hockenson’s potential production on his own. The real value here might be across the board. For the first time in Kevin O’Connell’s tenure as the Vikings’ head coach, they’ll have a superstar wide receiver in Jefferson, a proven separator in Jordan Addison, a reliable pass-catching tight end in Hockenson and an elite running back in Jones. These weapons, situated on the field at the same time, should allow O’Connell and this Vikings offensive staff to be as efficient and explosive as they’ve been since 2022. Pass protection from a triaged offensive line (in Christian Darrisaw’s absence) and Darnold’s decision-making will be paramount for all of this to come to fruition.
But Hockenson is a massive piece, capable of side-stepping larger and slower linebackers, and posting up smaller defensive backs. He also caught 55 passes last year between the numbers, and the Vikings have only attempted 88 passes within the numbers this year. More middle-of-the-field passing and quicker passing could, as referenced, improve the Vikings’ offensive efficiency. — Alec Lewis
Required reading
(Photo: David Berding / Getty Images)
