Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Stephen Carlson

Tuesday, December 26, 4:18 PM

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.

Tuesday, August 29, 11:19 PM

The Chicago Bears cut tight end Stephen Carlson on Tuesday to trim their roster down to 53 players, according to a source. Carlson will likely be back on the practice squad if he clears waivers. Chicago will open the 2023 regular season with Cole Kmet atop the tight end depth chart, followed by Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis. Carlson had a strong training camp this summer and caught five passes for 47 yards in preseason action. The former undrafted free agent out of Princeton hasn't seen any NFL action since 2020. In his two seasons with the Cleveland Browns, he caught six of nine targets for 62 yards and a touchdown in 25 games (seven starts).