2023 Season Is Officially over for Productive Vikings Duo
Janik Eckardt
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Sunday’s loss against the Detroit Lions sealed the division, as the foes clinched the NFC North for the first time in three decades. The Vikings failed to defend the division in the second season under the watch of head coach Kevin O’Connell. With just two games to go, the Vikes no longer control their own destiny in the playoff race.
2023 Season Is Officially over for Productive Vikings Duo
Watching the division rivals celebrate their biggest win in decades hurt Vikings fans, and the news in the following days made things even worse. Tight end T.J. Hockenson and pass-rusher D.J. Wonnum both exited the game with injuries, and their injury updates have been brutal.
O’Connell stepped in front of the media on Tuesday, confirming the devastating injury news. Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL, and Wonnum will miss the remainder of the season on IR with a torn quad muscle.
While their fate is similar, their offseason outlook sure looks a lot different. Hockenson signed a huge contract extension in the summer, but his injury puts his status for the 2024 season in question. O’Connell voiced confidence: “Knowing T.J., the type of player he is, I’m absolutely looking forward to when we can get him back rolling and ready to have a great 2024 season.”
However, his starting spot with the Vikings and status as the team’s top tight end and essential weapon in the passing game is safe. The 2022 trade acquisition played through various painful injuries this year, showing his toughness.
Wonnum, meanwhile, is in the final year of his contract and is scheduled to be a free agent in March. He has been a pleasant surprise in the 2023 season, taking over the starting role for the injured defender Marcus Davenport and becoming Danielle Hunter’s sidekick at rushing the passer. After years of suspect run defense and inconsistent pass rush, he has finally emerged as a decent option, resulting in career-highs in tackles and sacks.
Because of his solid season, he should be expected to have a market in free agency, although his injury will make it harder for him to find a new team. It remains to be seen if the Vikings want to keep him, especially because the only pass rushers under contract for the 2024 season are Patrick Jones and Andre Carter.
Hockenson was on pace to break the single-season Vikings record for receiving yards by a tight end but ultimately fell 44 yards short of Joe Senser’s achievement in 1981. The tight end caught 95 passes for 960 yards and five scores.
For the final two regular season games and a potential playoff matchup, tight end Josh Oliver should have a big role. He was signed in free agency to help in the running game and to be a depth receiving option. Oliver has snatched 19 passes for 165 yards in 2023, with Hockenson getting the majority of the work in the passing game.
Third-year player Jones is expected to take over the starting duties opposite of Hunter after a fantastic game against the Lions.
Besides the devastating injury updates, Minnesota also received some good news: top rookies Jordan Addison (ankle) and Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder) are considered day-to-day and could be ready for Sunday’s primetime game against the Packers.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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