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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson completed his best season in the NFL after tallying career-highs in receptions (95) and receiving yards (960) last season. He added five touchdowns, the second-highest total in five NFL seasons.
However, he could have finished his first 1,000-yard season if not for the torn ACL and MCL injury he suffered in Week 16 against his former team, the Detroit Lions. That condition forced him to miss the Vikings’ last two games.
Worse yet, incurring a severe injury late that season will affect his availability for 2024. Therefore, his status should alter the strategy of fantasy football players interested in adding him to their roster.
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When Will T.J. Hockenson Return?
While the Vikings haven’t officially ruled out Hockenson for their season opener, his chances of suiting up for Minnesota against the New York Giants are grim. The Vikings claim Hockenson is ahead of his recovery period, but it won’t mean anything unless they clear him to play.
Safe estimates suggest that Hockenson could return by midseason. However, given his lengthy absence, he might need a week or two to get back in game shape. That’s why fantasy football experts project his 2024 numbers at around 600 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
When Should I Draft T.J. Hockenson?
Hockenson is among the league’s best tight ends when healthy, prompting a fantasy football participant to draft him in the early to middle rounds. Unfortunately, his ACL and MCL injuries affected his average draft position in 2024.
There’s TE1 TJ Hockenson doing rehab off to the side.
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 31, 2024
RotoBaller’s rankings, courtesy of Nick Mariano, place Hockenson as the 19th-best tight end. Likewise, his average draft position of 116 means he is a late-round pick, especially in 12-team leagues. Therefore, he’s more of a stash pick who won’t provide any value early in the season.
However, since his return remains uncertain, monitoring Hockenson’s status is best before getting him. You can also transfer him to injured reserve after drafting him, but that’s risky because you could miss out on a player who can readily provide fantasy points in Week 1.
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