Oct 20, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A detailed view of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson's (18) helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Back in September and most of October, onlookers of Minnesota Vikings football often thought or stated, “Wait until T.J. Hockenson gets back.”
Hockenson tore his ACL last December after a dirty hit from Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph, who also hit Los Angeles Rams tight Tyler Higbee two weeks after the Hockenson injury and sidelined Higbee for 11+ months. The Vikings tight end didn’t return for duty until Week 9.
And when Hockenson returned, well, Minnesota did not rip the band-aid off per his offensive participation. In fact, Hockenson’s teammate, Josh Oliver, stepped up out of nowhere and began posting fringe TE1 production — almost the second Hockenson returned to the lineup.
Many expected Hockenson’s immediate return to net a splashier impact, but before Week 12 at Chicago, Hockenson played “here and there” and extended drives on 3rd Downs when quarterback Sam Darnold tossed him the rock.
At Soldier Field, however, Hockenson utterly exploded. He’s back.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted Monday after Minnesota’s 30-27 dub over the Bears: “Sam Darnold and T.J. Hockenson admittedly are still getting familiar with each other on the field. But probably the single biggest reason for Hockenson’s breakout Sunday is that he played more. He moved from ~46% of offensive snaps in his first 3 games to 66% vs. Bears.”
Last season, before the ACL tear, Hockenson played about 80% of the time on offense. His 66% snap load is getting closer to the norm.
Accordingly, Hockenson’s re-acclimation produced moments like this at Soldier Field:
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said last week about Hockenson’s increasing workload: “I think he’s just continuing to make up for some time lost of actual game action, and he’s getting better and better.”
So, yes, O’Connell told the truth.
Hockenson said after the victorious tryst, “I’m just happy we came out with the win, to be honest with you. Anything that I can do in any situation to be able to help this team win is huge. Obviously, Sam trusted me a few times, and I was able to come down with it. To come out of Chicago with a win, that’s hard. NFC North games, those are tough games. … The momentum wasn’t on our side, but nobody in here blinked.”
All told, the 27-year-old tabulated 7 receptions for 114 yards — all mandatory to Minnesota’s wacky win.
It took about a month of actual game time, but Hockenson’s TE1 takeover is complete. He’s back.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.