T.J. Hockenson will watch his teammates attempt to bring the Vikings’ record to 6-1 tonight, but he will be part of the effort against the Colts next weekend.
The Vikings will see Hockenson’s PUP-return window close Friday, and they will activate him. Hockenson will make his debut in Week 9, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero notes. Hockenson underwent ACL surgery in late January, nearly a month after his injury, and has long been projected to make his debut around the midseason point.
Week 8 was a close call for the Vikings, as Hockenson has not suffered any setbacks on his road back. The high-priced tight end will be a significant addition to Sam Darnold‘s pass-catching crew. Darnold cited Minnesota’s supporting cast as a key reason he chose the Twin Cities — as interest came in from the Broncos and Commanders — and Hockenson will round out the Vikes’ skill-position corps.
Minnesota managed to start 5-0, beating both Houston and Green Bay en route to that point, despite Hockenson recovering from an injury sustained in Week 16 of last season. Much has changed for the Vikings since Hockenson went down, as his injury came weeks after Kirk Cousins‘ Achilles tear led to a scenario in which the Vikings started four quarterbacks. Nevertheless, Hockenson totaled career-best numbers (95 catches, 960 yards) despite missing the Vikings’ final two games.
The Vikes gave Hockenson a four -year, $66MM deal — one that checks in second in tight end AAV — just before last season, and he delivered on the contract. This season, the Vikings have used a combination of Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver this season, but tight ends — Oliver’s opening-drive TD tonight notwithstanding — have not been used often in Minnesota’s passing game. Neither player entered tonight with more than 100 yards this season.
Hockenson spent much of last season putting up numbers without Justin Jefferson, but the team has its top two receivers (Jefferson, Jordan Addison) and running back Aaron Jones healthy in Week 8. For its Sunday-night outing against Indianapolis, Minnesota’s arsenal will be fully equipped.