A collective sigh of relief was felt throughout the entire Minnesota Vikings fan base on Wednesday, as Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson returned to practice for the first time since suffering an undisclosed injury this past Saturday.
On Monday, Hockenson did not participate in Minnesota's night practice with what Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell described as "normal training camp bumps and bruises." Turns out O'Connell was telling the truth.
Hockenson's return is great news for Minnesota, especially after it was revealed on Tuesday that Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has officially been suspended for the first three games of the 2025 season by the NFL. If Minnesota's top tight end remains healthy, Addison's absence during those three matchups definitely will be a little easier to deal with.
Minnesota Vikings added a new TE during T.J. Hockenson's absence
While Hockenson was getting some extra rest, the Vikings added another tight end to their roster by the name of Nick Vannett.
Most recently with the Tennessee Titans, Vannett has been in the NFL since he was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks.
Since entering the league with the Seahawks, he's had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers, and Titans.
Vannett has had a solid career in the NFL, but he's never done enough in a single season to earn a spot on a Pro Bowl roster. His addition to Minnesota's roster is more about adding depth and experience to a position group that doesn't have much behind Hockenson and Josh Oliver.
More than a year and a half since tearing his ACL at the end of the 2023 campaign, many believe Hockenson is heading into a big season in 2025. With J.J. McCarthy taking over as the Vikings' starting signal-caller, the veteran tight end could emerge as a nice safety blanket for the young passer, and that could result in some impressive numbers.