Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts after making a catch against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the October 17th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Answer: No, unfortunately not.
A source told VikingsTerritory earlier this week that Hockenson will not play this Sunday, when the NFC North is up for grabs, and that Hockenson is probably in line to return four days later at Los Angeles for a date with the Rams. The source claims the Vikings are proceeding “ultra-cautiously” with Hockenson, and if the decision were solely up to him, he would’ve played by now.
It’s also said that there was no chance whatsoever that Hockenson would suit up in London before the bye, instead targeting Week 7 or Week 8. It’s looking closer to Week 8 (Thursday Night Football in Los Angeles) than Week 7.
Regardless, Hockenson will be back soon, and Minnesota is 5-0 without him. No need to rush.
Answer: Our prediction is the Los Angeles Rams.
Matthew Stafford may retire after this season, and if so, the Rams will need a quarterback. Fresh off stardom in Kevin O’Connell’s system, Darnold, in theory, could fit like a glove with Sean McVay.
And the way it’s going now for Darnold, he’s playing himself into a $40 million per-season contract.
The only catch here is that the Rams’ record is poor right now — 1-4 — and if that win-loss mark tumbles too wildly, well, Los Angeles might just draft their Stafford successor. The 2025 quarterback class is decent but isn’t quite as fancy as last year’s.
Answer: Yes. The practice squad.
The Vikings can activate Carter II for three games, and perhaps that will happen before too long. However, Minnesota is in a pretty sweet spot where all the outside linebacking depth is doing its job. Carter II isn’t really needed.
He was a promising rookie prospect in 2023, though.
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 MIN 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.