Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) was activated off the injured reserve and is expected to make his season debut next week. In a corresponding move, the Vikings placed offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw on the injured reserve. Hockenson has been sidelined since the beginning of the season after suffering a torn ACL and MCL last year. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status next week during practice but should be expected to return to action. Before suffering a season-ending injury, the 27-year-old tight end was on pace to enjoy the best season of his career as he caught 95 passes for 960 yards and five scores. He should be viewed as a high-end TE1 for the remainder of the season.
Oct 25, 2024 4:49 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) will not play on Thursday evening according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Hockenson was able to log three limited practice sessions this week but will now hope to get ready to make his season debut in Week 9. Hockenson has yet to see game action this season due to a torn ACL and MCL he suffered last season. Fantasy managers should expect Minnesota wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor to see a majority of the targets this evening. No. 2 tight end Johnny Mundt is worth a look in deeper formats as he should see starting reps once again on Thursday and was able to bring in four of his five targets last weekend.
Oct 24, 2024 4:04 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is officially listed as questionable to face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 8. The two-time Pro Bowler suffered an ACL tear late in the 2023 campaign and has yet to make his 2024 debut. However, he turned in limited practices all of last week and this week, so he could be ready to suit up. Fantasy managers holding Hockenson should stay ready, as this could be a true game-time decision. Hockenson was pacing for over 1,000 receiving yards last season with multiple quarterbacks at the helm, and with how well Sam Darnold is playing, he could become an immediate fantasy football factor. The Rams have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends this year. That said, managers who do not have a clear top-10 tight end this week might as well roll the dice on him if he is active for this important NFC bout.
Oct 23, 2024 2:54 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) was limited in practice on Tuesday. Hockenson has been working his way back from a multiple-ligament knee injury suffered in Week 16 of 2023. Hockenson has been back at practice for a couple of weeks and there was even a chance for him to play in Week 7. With the Vikings turning around quickly and playing on Thursday night, it seems highly possible that Hockenson will make his anticipated season debut in Week 8 which would give Hockenson plenty of rest before Week 9. Hockenson is a stud at the tight end position in fantasy football. Before his injury in 2023, Hockenson had racked up 960 receiving yards and five touchdowns. It may take him a couple of weeks to ramp up to full strength. However, with the way this offense is playing with quarterback Sam Darnold, Hockenson should be a great boost for any fantasy managers who have been able to stash him to this point in the season.
Oct 22, 2024 6:48 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) was listed as limited on Monday's estimated practice report. The Vikings didn't hold an official practice heading into Thursday night's clash against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. Hockenson continues to work his way back from a torn ACL late last year, but head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn't say on Monday if Hockenson will be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list in time to be active for Thursday's game. Even if Hockenson is activated and suits up on Thursday, it would be surprising if the 27-year-old wasn't eased into action in his season debut. However, he should be rostered in all fantasy formats by now and could quickly become a strong TE1 option in fantasy after going for career-highs in catches (95) and receiving yards 960 with five touchdowns in 15 games in 2023 in his first year in Minnesota.
Oct 21, 2024 5:08 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) won't play in Sunday's NFC North clash against the Detroit Lions. The 27-year-old recently returned to practice. While he's moving in the right direction regarding his return to the field, fantasy managers will need to wait a little longer. There's a chance Hockenson will be back in the lineup for the Week 8 clash with the Los Angeles Rams. However, it's more realistic to assume he'll make his 2024-25 debut for the Week 9 matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts. Of course, anything can change moving forward, so fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation. In the meantime, it will be Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver splitting starting duties, although neither man can be considered a viable fantasy option.
Oct 19, 2024 4:20 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is officially listed as questionable to suit up this Sunday for his 2024 debut in Week 7 against the division-rival Detroit Lions. Hockenson said earlier this week he still doesn't have a set date for when he expects to come off Injured Reserve to make his season debut, so it seems unlikely that the Vikings will have him return this Sunday. The 27-year-old returned to practice two weeks ago as he continues to rehab ACL and MCL tears in his knee. In the event Hockenson was activated to play against the Lions, he'd almost certainly be eased in and therefore would be a very volatile fantasy play. With that said, Hockenson needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats, as he has the ability to be a weekly TE1 play when all is said and done in 2024.
Oct 18, 2024 3:52 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), who was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, said he has "passed every test by a mile" from a medical standpoint. Hockenson's knee is healed, but he has no predictions on when he'll make his 2024 debut. The likeliest targets are in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night or in Week 9 versus the Indianapolis Colts. The 27-year-old is making progress, but the Vikings aren't going to rush him back too soon. Hockenson must be rostered in all fantasy leagues, as he has the potential to be an immediate TE1 contributor when he returns to the field. However, those expecting him to return this Sunday against the division-rival Detroit Lions will most likely be disappointed.
Oct 17, 2024 6:54 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) was again listed as a limited participant in the team's practice report. Technically, it's the veteran's second straight limited session, as he was designated as such in the final practice leading up to the team's Week 5 outing against the New York Jets. Whether or not he plays this week is uncertain; however, with his 21-day practice window set to close on Oct. 25, Minnesota must activate him soon lest they lose him for the remainder of the season. Fortunately, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was optimistic when asked about him. "He's in a great spot," said O'Connell, "he's moving around great, but he's gotta get acclimated back into football a little bit." With Minnesota set to play their Week 8 matchup on Thursday Night Football, Hockenson's debut may be pushed back until then. We'll know more regarding his Sunday status over the next few days' practice designations.
Oct 16, 2024 9:46 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) was limited in his return to practice on Friday, but he has been ruled out for Week 5 against the New York Jets and will not come off the Physically Unable to Perform list just yet. The Vikings opened Hockenson's 21-day practice window on Friday, but he'll have to wait until at least Week 7 against the Detroit Lions -- the Vikings have their bye in Week 6 -- before potentially making his 2024 debut. We'll have a better idea in a few weeks of whether the 27-year-old will be able to return in Week 7 by his practice participation. Hockenson deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats and should have TE1 utility when he's back in a Vikings offense that has looked great under quarterback Sam Darnold so far in 2024. Until Hockenson returns, fantasy managers can continue to ignore Johnny Mundt.
Oct 4, 2024 1:23 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is officially participating in practice on Friday as the team has officially opened his practice window. According to Ian Rapoport, the team may give him the full three weeks to prepare and get as close to 100% healthy as possible. He last played in Week 16 of last season when he tore his ACL in a game against the Detroit Lions. If he takes the full three weeks to return, that would mean he's on track to play in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. There's a chance he could be back for their Week 8 contest, but that's a Thursday night game against the Los Angeles Rams, so it could be a bit early. Hockenson's status will be something to monitor each week, and their bye week in Week 6 could be a great help. With how great the Vikings have played with Sam Darnold at the helm, Hockenson's return could be a breath of fresh air for fantasy managers in desperate need of a tight end.
Oct 4, 2024 9:40 AM EST
The Minnesota Vikings are opening tight end T.J. Hockenson's (knee) practice window this week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Last year's PPR TE1 in fantasy points per game is working his way back from a late-season ACL tear and began the 2024 regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He has missed the required four games to be able to return and is now set to get back on the practice field. While this is a promising development for fantasy managers who are stashing him, it would be somewhat of a surprise if he's active for the game against the New York Jets on Sunday. The organization has 21 days from his return to practice to move him to the active roster, and he'll likely need a ramp-up period. That said, given the lack of production at the tight end spot this season, Hockenson is arguably a must-start as soon as he's ready to play. Minnesota's offense led by Sam Darnold is far exceeding expectations so far, so Hockenson could finish as a high-end TE1 in 2024.
Oct 2, 2024 2:42 PM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is almost ready for the team to trigger his 21-day practice window, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16 last year but has made a speedy recovery and hopes to return within the next few weeks. It's important to note that once the Vikings designate Hockenson to practice, he'll have 21 days where he can practice with the team while not counting toward the 53-man roster. Once those 21 days go by, the team must activate him from injured reserve or rule him out for the remainder of the season. Schefter notes that the former is more likely for Hockenson, with Week 7 or 8 being his target for a return. Once he's back on the field, Hockenson will rank as a high-end fantasy TE1.
Sep 29, 2024 8:37 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) could return to practice as early as next week, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The 27-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL last season and has been on the PUP list since the beginning of the 2024 season. Earlier this afternoon, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that the team is loosely targeting a Week 7 return for the Iowa product. Seeing that he could return to practice next week is a great sign and suggests a Week 7 return could be possible. Before the season-ending injury, Hockenson was on pace to smash previous career highs in 2023 and could be in store for a strong second half, given how potent the Minnesota offense has looked early into the season.
Sep 26, 2024 4:12 PM EST
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Minnesota Vikings are loosely targeting a return around Week 7 for injured tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), who is still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL that he suffered late last year. Hockenson has opened the 2024 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, as expected, meaning he has to sit out at least the first four games of the season. Fantasy managers expecting Hockenson to be full-go by Week 5 should think again, though. The 27-year-old should be stashed in an IR spot in all fantasy leagues, but it's more likely we won't see him make his season debut until around the midway point, and when he does return, he could be eased back in. Until Hockenson is able to return as the Vikings' top pass-catcher, Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver are expected to share tight-end duties in Minnesota.
Sep 5, 2024 1:16 PM EST
The Athletic's Alec Lewis believes a Week 5 (Oct. 6) return for Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is a fair projection when he was asked when we should expect to see Hockenson back on the field in 2024. It's when Hockenson will be eligible to return from the Physically Unable to Perform list. He'll be able to practice through the first four weeks of the season while on the PUP list, and he's already sprinting and running routes on side fields. If the Vikings really wanted to, they probably could have pushed Hockenson to be ready for the first couple weeks of the regular season. This news certainly should make fantasy managers more willing to snag the 27-year-old in upcoming drafts, granted your league has IR spots to stash him. Before tearing both his ACL and MCL late in December, Hockenson was having a career year. Still, with Kirk Cousins gone and coming off a serious knee injury, fantasy managers should have reservations about Hockenson when he does return to the field in 2024.
Sep 1, 2024 1:20 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings have placed tight end T.J. Hockenson (ACL) on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List, meaning he will miss the season's first four games. Hockenson is still recovering from a torn ACL and MCL sustained on December 24 last year. The recovery process was complicated by a delay in his ACL surgery to allow the MCL to heal. Despite the injury cutting his season short, Hockenson had a standout year in 2023, setting career highs with 95 receptions and 960 receiving yards, along with five touchdowns. With T.J. Hockenson sidelined, Johnny Mundt is next on the Vikings' tight-end depth chart. Mundt may see an uptick in snaps, but it's also likely that Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison should receive additional targets from Sam Darnold. Hockenson is still worth considering late in drafts, especially if your league has IR slots.
Aug 27, 2024 10:12 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) is not likely to be ready for Week 1 of the new NFL season. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Hockenson could miss anywhere from three to seven weeks to start the season as he still recovers from an ACL tear last year. Despite some of the latest reports saying that he's recovering ahead of schedule, it doesn't seem like the Vikings will take any chances and make sure he's as close to 100% healthy as possible. That means backups Josh Oliver, Robert Tonyan, and Johnny Mundt will compete to see who gets a bulk of the workload while Hockenson remains sidelined.
Aug 9, 2024 9:57 AM EST
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee), currently over seven months into his recovery from a torn ACL, is advancing faster than anticipated and could be an option for Week 1. Hockenson, who recorded 95 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns in the first 15 games of the season before his injury, suffered the ACL tear on December 24. He had to wait until January 29 for surgery due to knee swelling. Given the timing of his injury and his crucial role on the team, it seems unlikely that he will be ready for the start of September. The Vikings are expected to prioritize his full recovery, which might delay his return into the regular season. Although Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is optimistic about Hockenson's progress, Hockenson will probably begin the season on reserve/PUP, sidelining him for at least the first four games of 2024. In his absence, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and Robert Tonyan will be the tight ends on the roster, but none currently offer significant fantasy value.
Aug 2, 2024 6:24 PM EST
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.
Jul 22, 2024 2:07 PM EST