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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has previously been one of the most dominant and reliable tight ends in fantasy football. He was one of the premier options at the position, often falling just one tier shy of the great Travis Kelce.
Now, though, Hockenson lost his Pro Bowl quarterback and is also recovering from a serious injury.
Will T.J. Hockenson be healthy before the season begins? Will Hockenson play in Week 1?
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Will T.J. Hockenson Play This Season?
Hockenson tore his ACL late in December 2023 after taking a physical lower-body hit. ACL tears come with an extensive recovery period, creating some concerns about his timetable to get back on the field.
Fortunately, even if Hockenson does miss additional time, he isn't expected to miss the entire 2024 season. The Vikings' talented tight end should play this year.
TJ Hockenson -
Concern over his right knee, which was hit by the defender as he planted.
Concern for MCL, but hopefully not ACL. Those direct hits into the knees can be bad news.
Hoping we get an update soon pic.twitter.com/qhWnjnlMa2
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 24, 2023
Will T.J. Hockenson Play In Week 1?
An ACL tear in late December almost guarantees that the injured player won't be ready for Week 1. However, the Vikings haven't ruled it out yet. Head coach Kevin O'Connell told the media that Hockenson has looked phenomenal throughout his recovery, suggesting he may be ahead of schedule.
Even so, the Vikings have no incentive to rush Hockenson back and risk further injury. Barring an unforeseen development, Hockenson won't be ready to suit up in time for Week 1.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell was asked by @SeifertESPN about T.J. Hockenson. KOC didn’t give a specific timeline but he admitted what’s been obvious out at TCO: Physically, Hockenson looks phenomenal.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 22, 2024
T.J. Hockenson 2024 Fantasy Outlook
Hockenson's talent speaks for itself. If fantasy managers were drafting purely based on skill, Hockenson would be a top-three tight end this year. However, managers also need to consider his injury and quarterback play.
There's a real chance that Hockenson might not return until midseason. While every fantasy manager would enjoy adding someone like him midseason, the fact that he could miss a couple of months detracts from his fantasy value.
Furthermore, managers must consider the quarterback downgrade that took place in Minnesota this offseason. Kirk Cousins departed and was replaced by Sam Darnold, who hasn't been locked into a starting job since 2022 with the Carolina Panthers. Time will tell exactly how well Darnold plays this season, but managers should temper expectations for any of Minnesota's pass-catchers.
Ultimately, given the extreme depth at the tight end position this season, Hockenson falls outside the top-12 range. His injury makes him more of a long-term investment than an immediate contributor. He has a reasonable ADP of 163, making him the 18th tight end off the board in redraft leagues.
3. TJ Hockenson #Skol
ADP - 117
(TE13 off board)Finished 2023 as TE4 but came down with a major injury that has landed him on the PUP to start the season and most likely back weeks 6-8 nothing official.
The high risk high reward TE is at a very cheap value but lots to… pic.twitter.com/lkEgV5TDw9
— My Mind Is A Weapon FF (@SleezBallFF) August 16, 2024
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