Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. It's not a surprise, although O'Connell said Hockenson is "well ahead of schedule" with his rehab from ACL surgery in late January. The 27-year-old tight end tore his ACL at the end of last season and is doubtful to be ready for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign despite being ahead of scheduled this offseason. In addition to coming off a major injury, Hockenson will be more of a fantasy question mark now that he's going from quarterback Kirk Cousins to a potential mixture of Sam Darnold and rookie first-rounder J.J. McCarthy this season. Even when Hockenson does return to the field in the regular season, he's likely to be eased in, so he should be considered more of a high-end TE2 stash in fantasy football drafts this fall.
T.J. Hockenson Won't Put A Timeline On His Recovery
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), who tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions last year, isn't putting a timeline on his return in 2024. "They haven't really put a timeline on it," Hockenson said. "We're just kinda taking it day by day, week by week, there's just so many variables that you can go through in this process. I'm doing really good right now. We're attacking each process. I'm attacking each one and it's been awesome, the progression has been incredible." Even if Hockenson isn't available for the Week 1 season opener this fall, he should be drafted in all fantasy leagues as a surefire, high-end TE1 when healthy, although he will be taking passes from either quarterback Sam Darnold or rookie J.J. McCarthy in 2024. In 15 games last year, Hockenson had 95 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is ahead of scheduled in his rehab this offseason, but the Vikings are committed to ensuring he is fully healthy before he plays. Last year's contract cemented the team's belief that he is one of its cornerstone players when he's healthy, and they aren't just going to rush a player like that back from a severe injury. Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt will fill in if Hockenson needs to miss the first couple weeks of the 2204 season. Hockenson suffered a torn right ACL and MCL in late December last year, and his recovery this offseason will be a big storyline for Minnesota's offense as they move to a new era without quarterback Kirk Cousins. When healthy, Hockenson is a high-end TE1 in fantasy, but he'll come at a discounted price in drafts this fall if it's looking like he won't be ready to start the year on time.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) underwent successful surgery on Monday to fix his torn ACL. Hockenson tore both his ACL and MCL in a brutal hit to his right knee on Dec. 26 and missed the remainder of the regular season. With the injury coming so late in 2023, there's a chance the 26-year-old won't be ready to go for the start of the 2024 regular season this fall. Hockenson's rehab will be something to watch closely this spring and summer. When healthy, he's one of the better pass-catching tight ends in fantasy, although with quarterback Kirk Cousins a free agent, he could have a new QB throwing him passes in 2024. In his first full year in Minnesota in 2023 after being traded from the Detroit Lions in 2022, Hockenson caught a career-high 95 passes (127 targets) for a career-high 960 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games played.
T.J. Hockenson Suffers Torn ACL, MCL, Will Be Placed On Injured Reserve
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions. He is expected to be placed on injured reserve and will miss the rest of the season. Given the late-season injury, the 26-year-old could start the 2024 season on the PUP list. The former first-round pick signed a four-year, $66 million contract this offseason with Minnesota. Hockenson had career-highs in receptions, receiving, yards, and targets during his first entire season with the Vikings. He caught 95 of 127 targets for 965 yards and five touchdowns over 15 games in 2023. Hockenson will likely undergo surgery in the next few weeks and looks to recover fully in 2024. Josh Oliver is expected to be Minnesota's top tight end with Hockenson sidelined. Fantasy managers searching for tight end help or a replacement for Hockenson can look to add Oliver in most league formats.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. The big tight end took a hit to the knee during the beginning of the third quarter. It didn't take long for the Vikings medical staff to rule out Hockenson for the rest of the day. The Vikings offense is shorthanded with wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) ruled out as well. That means, K.J. Osborn and Justin Jefferson should be looking at big roles in the second half.
T.J. Hockenson An Elite TE1 Option Versus His Former Team
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson will look to continue his strong season in Week 16 as the Vikings host his former team. Hockenson faces a Lions defense that ranks 23rd versus tight ends in PPR fantasy points allowed this season. The Iowa product saw seven targets last week, as he finished with six receptions for 63 yards. He figures to be second in line for targets from quarterback Nick Mullens, as Justin Jefferson led the team with 10 targets last week. Hockenson is a must-start TE1 option as we continue on in the fantasy playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson caught six of seven targets for 63 yards in the team's 27-24 loss to the Bengals on Saturday. Hockenson was second in line for targets behind Justin Jefferson (10) in this one, but fantasy managers can continue to treat him as an elite TE1 option moving forward as the Vikings look to continue their pass-heavy offensive scheme despite Nick Mullens being under center. The former Detroit Lion has a safe floor on a weekly basis and can be started with confidence no matter what other skill position players are active for the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson will look to take advantage of a great matchup in Week 15 as the Vikings take on the Bengals in Week 15, who rank 32nd against the tight end position in PPR scoring. Hockenson caught five of eight targets for 53 yards in the team's poor offensive performance last week, but fantasy managers can expect a bounce-back performance from the overall TE2 this year. The former Detroit Lion figures to act as a safety blanket for quarterback Nick Mullens in this one, and should be at worst second in line for targets behind All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Hockenson is an elite TE1 option in Week 15.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had a team-high five catches for 53 yards in Sunday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite both club's struggles offensively, Hockenson at least got some production for fantasy managers. Of course, the Vikings' instability at the quarterback spot isn't an ideal scenario. However, the 26-year-old is still a starting fantasy option for the Week 15 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals, even more so if Justin Jefferson (chest) doesn't suit up.
