Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) runs after a catch against the Washington Commanders during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports.
A weekend publication from VikingsTerritory, we present to you: the Vikings Nopedy Nopes of the week.
The nopedy nopes are weekly Minnesota Vikings-themed items that we’re not buying. It’s a spin-off of our rumor mill, and we hope you enjoy. Here is the 29th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
Sources tell VikingsTerritory that a more realistic return for Hockenson is around Week 8 when the Vikings travel to Los Angeles for a meeting with the Rams.
Minnesota is taking the cautious route with Hockenson, allowing his torn ACL to heal fully without risk of re-injury. And with the franchise sitting nicely at 3-0, treading gingerly with his recovery makes sense. Why rush him back too soon?
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 three games. So far, the club is undefeated and sits atop the NFC North by its wonderful lonesome.
However, because Hockenson is eligible to hop off the PUP list next, many assumed he’d return for Vikings-Jets in London. That’s unlikely.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
After Danielle Hunter was rolled into Sam Darnold’s knee last Sunday, Vikings faithful feared the worst. And then they had to wait until a Monday morning MRI.
But NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Monday, “Vikings QB Sam Darnold’s MRI revealed a knee bruise and no structural damage, per source.”
Injury luck already ruined J.J. McCarthy’s season, so Vikings loyalists — a cynical batch — expected something nasty to emerge about Darnold. But nope. He’s fine and will play this weekend.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
Bleacher Report sized up one possible free-agent addition this week for each team and explained offensive guard Mark Glowinski to Minnesota: “Ed Ingram has continued to struggle this year, and while Dalton Risner could be coming off injured reserve soon to provide some help, there’s no guarantee Risner will be ready to go by the time he’s eligible to return or that he’ll be the same player post-injury. So it’d be a smart move to add another veteran guard like Glowinski just in case.”
If signed by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the fit might be a bit odd because Risner is already associated with the depth chart. The veteran should be healed from injury before too long, and if Ingram falters, Minnesota will insert Risner into the lineup, perhaps disqualifying the Glowinski theory.
If there were no Risner on the roster, we’d say sure. Otherwise — nope.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
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.