Oct 15, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) warms up before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports.
It almost certainly won’t be in Week 5, but the process is underway for tight end T.J. Hockenson’s return to the Minnesota Vikings’ lineup.
Hockenson tore his ACL last December after a dirty hit from Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph, a former teammate from Hockenson’s Detroit days. Since, Hockenson has battled valiantly to return, and that date may not be far off — it just probably won’t be this weekend when he’s eligible to return from the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
“Yeah, we’re working through that right now based upon the unique aspect of this week (going to London), and then leading right into the bye week. We’ll have some dialog and try to do what’s best for both those guys to be in their best positions to maximize that window and when they’re available to us, they’re going to be available. I’m excited about both those guys,” head coach Kevin O’Connell replied when asked about Hockenson’s back-to-work date.
“Both of those guys” referred to Hockenson and offensive guard Dalton Risner.
O’Connell continued, “They’ve been working really hard behind the scenes and, both T.J. and Dalton are here for the plan that we kind of set upon at the end of training camp, knowing right about the time we get them back, it would be a nice boost for our team. So want to give them the ample amount of practice time, because it’s one thing to just open a window, but what does that practice look like?”
The Vikings are 4-0 without Hockenson (and Risner), chipping off the New York Giants in Week 1 by 22, the San Francisco 49ers after that by six, the Houston Texans by 27 in Week 3, and the Green Bay Packers by two on Sunday. Vikings football is cooking even without Hockenson and Risner.
“And that may be this week, it may not, but we’ll kind of keep you guys posted as we come to a decision on those,” O’Connell concluded about when Hockenson could begin practicing.
A source told VikingsTerritory one week ago that a more realistic return for Hockenson is around Week 8 when the Vikings travel to Los Angeles for a meeting with the Rams. Within the last couple of weeks, Vikings fans and some Vikings-themed media have theorized Hockenson’s return in London, but that was merely when his window opened to return.
Without Hockenson, no Hockenson-like tight end has emerged in his stead. By committee, the Vikings have relied on Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for TE duties through four games. So far, the club is undefeated and sits atop the NFC North by its wonderful lonesome.
Hockenson was on the brink of becoming the Vikings’ first 1,000+ yard tight end in 42 years before the ACL tear in 2023. Joe Senser achieved the mark in 1981, and Hockenson fell 40 yards short. When wide receiver Justin Jefferson was injured for seven games last October and November, Hockenson was often the glue that kept the offense together.
Minnesota’s offense has oddly not missed a beat sans Hockenson, ranking seventh in the NFL per EPA+CPOE, an efficiency metric measuring expected wins added. Still, onlookers have daydreamed of a full-strength purple offense, and Hockenson is the missing piece.
The Vikings are favored to take down the New York Jets by 2.5 points this weekend.
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.