Vikings insider updates status of T.J. Hockenson for Week 7 vs. Lions

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is nearing a return in his recovery from a multi-ligament knee injury but his status for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions remains up in the air.

KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson provided the latest update on Hockenson’s status during an appearance on SKOR North’s Minnesota Sports With Mackey and Judd on Tuesday morning and said while Hockenson has looked close to a return, the Vikings may choose to wait until they play the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 24.

"I do wonder if T.J. Hockenson plays on Sunday but…I’m thinking it’s more like Oct. 24 that you’re not going to have him play two games in the course of five days. So [you] make that move ahead of the Rams game, not the Lions game."

- Darren Wolfson via SKOR North

T.J. Hockenson hasn’t played in a game since a hit by Lions safety Kerby Joseph caused damage including a torn ACL on Christmas Eve. Hockenson had to wait to have surgery on his knee until mid-January due to the swelling after the injury but both sides have been positive about his recovery throughout the spring.

The team still placed him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list at the end of training camp, however, but activated his 21-day practice window on Oct. 4. The Vikings have until the day after the Rams game to activate Hockenson but it feels likely that the 27-year-old will return either against the Lions or the Rams.

Vikings insider updates status of T.J. Hockenson for Week 7 vs. Lions

The question now is which game it will be as Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t spill any tea leaves during an interview with Paul Allen on Monday.

“We don’t know if we’ll have T.J. or not yet. He had a great first day back on the field in London and then had a great day yesterday, so he’ll keep working.”

Wolfson also said Hockenson has looked “phenomenal” in practice but doubled down on the thought the Vikings schedule could delay his debut.

“I just don’t know, is this the game you bring him back? And then do you plan on playing him again [four] days later? I think that’s a little aggressive, so that’s why I’m thinking more the 24th [against the Rams]. But if you’re asking me how Hockenson looks, to me he looks ready to go. Watching him catch, cut do all that stuff, to me, he looks ready to play this Sunday.”

Hockenson’s status will be one of the biggest questions when the Minnesota Vikings host the Lions in an NFC North battle at noon on Sunday in Minneapolis.

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