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Tight end T.J. Hockenson was having a career year during his first full season with the Minnesota Vikings. As of Week 16, he had 95 catches for 960 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Unfortunately, he tore his ACL and MCL in their game against the Detroit Lions, his former team. His absence led the Vikings to defeats in Weeks 16 to 18, keeping them out of playoff contention with a 7-10 finish.
Worse yet, Hockenson's availability for Minnesota's 2024 season opener is in question. However, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert, he will likely return at some point this season.
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When Will T.J. Hockenson Return?
Prior to his injury, T.J. Hockenson was on pace to finish as THE TE1 overall🔥
He still finished the season as the TE4 with 95 receptions for 960 yards and 5 TDs despite missing time, and was the TE2 in PPG🤯
Are you drafting him for 2024?📢 pic.twitter.com/u6TaNaRgUq
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) June 30, 2024
As Seifert wrote, the Vikings delayed the operation on his right knee to allow his MCL injury to heal. While that decision allowed Hockenson's recovery to proceed, it did delay his return to action. Relying on the typical timeline for an ACL injury, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end could be back by October, a month after Minnesota's Week 1 game.
That estimate does not factor in any delays in his recovery or head coach Kevin O'Connell's discretion in dealing with Hockenson's injury. However, all that's clear is that Hockenson will start the season on injured reserve, keeping him inactive for the Vikings' first four games of 2024.
But even after Week 4, the Vikings could delay the start of his practice window. Without any complications, Hockenson's return might even coincide with the Vikings' game against the New York Jets in London, England.
Who Will Likely Take Over as Vikings Starting TE?
Seifert eliminated the possibility of Hockenson playing a regular-season game in September. That's at least four weeks for another tight end to take over. Therefore, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, or Robert Tonyan will take over as the starter.
Those three TEs combined for 50 receptions, 497 yards, and three touchdowns. However, one should have increased numbers to start the season, helping Minnesota's cause, especially when three of their first four opponents were playoff contenders last year.
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