Vikings sound optimistic with latest T.J. Hockenson injury update

The Minnesota Vikings enter training camp with questions on both sides of the ball but one of the biggest is the status of tight end T.J. Hockenson.

Hockenson suffered a torn ACL and MCL in a Week 16 game against the Detroit Lions last season, but when speaking to reporters on Monday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that the tight end is “ahead of schedule” with his recovery.

“He’s well ahead of schedule from the standpoint of some of the benchmarks throughout his rehab…

T.J. did not miss a day outside of going to see his surgeon in Los Angeles, and he was here every single day. And then that continued through the summer. So I think [Vikings Vice President of Health and Performance Tyler Williams] and his staff feel really good about where he’s at.”

Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson to begin 2024 training camp on P.U.P. list

O’Connell’s update sounded optimistic about Hockenson’s recovery but the timing of the injury has put his 2024 availability in jeopardy. After taking the hit from Lions safety Kerby Joseph, the Minnesota tight end had to wait a few weeks for the swelling to go down before undergoing surgery.

While Hockenson has also been optimistic about his recovery, he’s also been non-committal on his status for the Vikings' regular-season opener on September 8th, including his recent appearance on the "Bussin’ With the Boys" podcast.

“It’s been great, yeah. We’re running now, doing a lot of change-of-direction stuff. At the point I’m at now, I feel really comfortable about being able to come back and be the player I was and even be better. That’s huge for me.”

In addition, Hockenson was asked by one of the podcast's hosts if Minnesota's Week 5 game against the New York Jets in London, England, represented a possible return date, but Hockenson backed off, reiterating that his recovery had been going well.

For what it’s worth, O’Connell also revealed on Monday that Hockenson will begin the Vikings' training camp this summer on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. However, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis also noted that the NFL’s short-term injured reserve rules, which state that a player must miss at least the first four games after being placed on the PUP list, could play a factor in Hockenson’s status at the beginning of the year.

Whatever the Vikings decide to do, it’s clear they will not rush their top tight end back before he’s ready. Hockenson signed a four-year, $66 million contract extension with Minnesota during last year’s training camp and is a key part of O’Connell’s offense.

This will be important to keep an eye on as the Vikings could be without Hockenson and wide receiver Jordan Addison, who is awaiting word on a potential suspension for a DUI arrest earlier this month, at the beginning of the season.

More Vikings News and Analysis