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Minnesota quarterback Sam Darnold has been of the biggest surprises in the NFL and fantasy football through the first three weeks of the season. What is even more impressive is that he has been racking up the touchdown tosses without the help of his top tight end.
T.J. Hockenson has been on the dreaded PUP list due to the torn ACL that ruined the end of the 2023 campaign. Fantasy managers knew it was a longshot for him to be ready for Week 1, but now it has become a mystery as to when he will suit up and rejoin Justin Jefferson and the rest of Minnesota’s pass-catching group.
Being on the PUP list means Hockenson has to miss the first four games of the season. So when exactly is Hockenson returning? And what will that mean for his fantasy value and the values of his teammates? Here is the latest:
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T.J. Hockenson Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Word on the street has been mum the last week or so, after earlier reports stated Minnesota was eyeing Hockenson returning around Week 7. But the Purple Persuasion put this on Twitter earlier today after Vikings head coach Kevin O' Connell spoke to the press this afternoon.
#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell remains non-committal on opening TE T.J. Hockenson’s practice window next week.
Deferred to the medical staff. pic.twitter.com/eEYJesXS0F
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 25, 2024
Until there is news to the contrary, fantasy managers will probably have to wait until the midseason for Hockenson to make his triumphant return. There is no rush considering the Vikings are undefeated and the offense has been putting up points. Tight end replacements Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver have only combined for seven receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown, though.
T.J. Hockenson Fantasy Football Outlook
When Hockenson does get back on the field, do not expect him to be the Hockenson of old right out of the gate. He will likely be slowly weaved back into the offense, playing limited snaps the first game or two until the Vikings and Hockenson feel like he is ready to handle a full workload.
Fantasy managers are hopefully Hockenson will round into Pro Bowl form sooner rather than later, however. He is coming off a career year where he posted personal bests with 95 receptions for 960 yards. A healthy Hockenson will be a boost to a fantasy squad down the stretch when games are crucial to making the league playoffs. If he is available on your league’s waiver wire and you have roster room for him, by all means pick him up.
Mundt and Oliver have zero fantasy value now. Their value will be in the negatives when Hockenson returns. The same cannot be said for Darnold, though, who will have another premier pass catcher to throw to, which will only help his fantasy worth.
Having Hockenson and injured wideout Jordan Addison return will help Jefferson as well. Maybe the star receiver will only get double-teamed instead of tripled-teamed. The bottom line is Hockenson’s return will undoubtedly help fantasy footballers in various ways. We just need the Vikings to nail down exactly when their superstar tight end is returning.
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