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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has returned to practice, meaning fantasy managers who are stashing him are surely wondering when he will return to game action. The former No. 8 overall pick by the Detroit Lions in 2019 suffered a late-season ACL tear against his former team after taking a brutal hit to the knee last year, but he could be in the Minnesota lineup soon.
With the scarcity at the tight end spot, Hockenson has the potential to be a game-changing player for struggling fantasy managers.
When is Hockenson coming back, and what is his fantasy football outlook when he returns? Let's get into it!
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T.J. Hockenson Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Hockenson practiced in London ahead of the Week 5 game against the New York Jets but did not play. Minnesota had a Week 6 bye, so the 27-year-old got an extra week to ramp up. While Hockenson has a chance to play in Week 7 against the Lions, it is far from a certainty.
Vikings practicing today, light session out of the bye week. T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Risner both participating while still on I.R.
Aaron Jones (hip) here, too, with a helmet. pic.twitter.com/YnASfTeXtI
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 14, 2024
Head coach Kevin O'Connell said the team is unsure if Hockenson will be available for Sunday's contest, but the tight end is pushing to play as fast as he can. Minnesota has a Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams four days after the NFC North showdown with Detroit, so there could be hesitance to activate Hockenson and have him play in both contests.
While Hockenson has not been ruled out for Week 7, Vikings reporter Will Ragatz suggested his return could be delayed until Week 8 or Week 9. Fantasy managers should stay "in the know" about Hockenson's latest developments.
T.J. Hockenson Fantasy Football Outlook
In 15 games last season, Hockenson caught 95 of his 127 targets for 960 yards and five touchdowns. He produced TE1 numbers with and without Kirk Cousins at quarterback, so assuming he's healthy, he should be productive with a much-improved Sam Darnold under center.
He will face immense target competition from Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but he's proven to earn targets alongside the two stellar wideouts, so that isn't much of a concern. Despite missing a significant chunk of the 2024 campaign, Hockenson could finish as a TE1, and he almost certainly will finish as a TE1 in fantasy points per game.
If he's somehow available on your waiver wire, now is the time to scoop him up.
DOBBS TO HOCKENSON. @Vikings having a day!
📺: #NOvsMIN on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kECSNGbyLL pic.twitter.com/jBE1i5Ymqt— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
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