On Sunday, May 19, Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune anticipated that T.J. Hockenson, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end, will begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Goessling also predicts Hockenson will be sidelined until Minnesota’s bye week before returning in Week 7 to face his old team, the Detroit Lions, who drafted him No. 8 overall in the 2019 NFL draft.
“Because I would imagine [T.J. Hockenson is] on the PUP list through (six) weeks,” Goessling remarked, according to The Purple Persuasion X account. “Week 6’s bye is easily scheduled here. And then, look who’s on the schedule for Week 7. His old friend, Kirby Joseph.”
Joseph, a Lions safety, struck Hockenson low during a game in Week 16 last season, causing ACL and MCL tears in the tight end’s knee and ending his season.
T.J. Hockenson’s knee injury prompted the Vikings to add TE. The Vikings made a move at the position of Robert Tonyan Jr. due to Hockenson’s expected absence from the early season slate, which includes three consecutive games against playoff-winning teams (Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, and Green Bay Packers).
Minnesota acquired Robert Tonyan Jr., formerly of the Packers and most recently of the Chicago Bears, to the roster in 2023 to address the team’s lack of pass-catching tight ends.
Tonyan has more experience as a pass-catcher than any of Minnesota’s other three tight ends. Last year, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and Nick Muse combined for 39 receptions for 385 yards and three touchdowns, according to ESPN.
Vikings must compensate for the loss of offensive production. Due to T.J. Hockenson’s expected absence.
Hockenson, meanwhile, with 95 receptions, 960 yards, and 5 touchdowns in 15 games last season. However, those numbers are expected to fall dramatically in 2024, especially if he misses the first third of the season.
On May 10, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report made a prediction that was extremely similar to the one Goessling made Sunday. Knox predicted Hockenson would start 12 games this season, with him returning to the starting lineup against Detroit in Week 7.
Knox also predicted a significant drop in the tight end’s production as a result, forecasting 60 receptions for 575 yards and four touchdowns.
“With running back Aaron Jones now in the fold, the Vikings shouldn’t be as pass-heavy as they were a year ago,” Knox stated. Fans can expect to see Hockenson return to the field this season, even if he misses the first few weeks. However, they should not expect Hockenson to put up the kind of stats that would win him serious Pro Bowl consideration.
Jones is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and should assist Sam Darnold and/or J.J. McCarthy, whoever is starting quarterback in Hockenson’s absence. However, the most of the task will rest on the shoulders of the team’s talented wideout combination, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Given that, the Vikings are good prospects to get another talent this summer who can compete for the starting slot receiving position alongside Jefferson and Addison.
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