2 weeks Ago
Coming off two straight losses, the Minnesota Vikings will have reinforcements when T.J. Hockenson makes his season debut against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night.
The tight end was injured last Christmas Eve when he suffered a low hit by Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph. The swelling due to the injury forced surgery to be postponed until January and Hockenson missed the first seven games of the 2024 season while he recovered. Related: Vikings vs.
Colts: Predictions, keys to watch in 'SNF' matchup Follow us on Facebook "It's kind of one of those things once the SKOL chants go and once I'm around the crowd actually playing, it's going to mean a lot to me to be back out on the football field and to be back out there with the boys," Hockenson said of his return this week. "I'm just excited. There's a lot of emotions, obviously, that go through nine months of a rigorous injury like this, but to be out here and moving and have no pain, no nothing is absolutely incredible.
" Hockenson's return couldn't come at a better time for the Vikings. Minnesota opened the season by winning the first five games but a lot of its success was fueled by the defense with 15 takeaways, which is tied for second in the NFL behind the Green Bay Packers, who have 19 takeaways. Related: Flores believes Vikings are learning 'valuable lessons' during defensive downturn This gave the offense a head start at times as they took advantage of a short field.
But while Sam Darnold threw 11 touchdowns in his first four games, he's thrown three touchdowns since, including two in last Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The return of Hockenson could help the Vikings revitalize their passing attack in the middle of the field. The Athletic 's Alec Lewis noted that the Vikings have just thrown just 88 passes between the numbers this season but Hockenson caught 55 passes in that area one year ago.
Hockenson also caught 95 passes which was second-most among tight ends behind Jacksonville's Evan Engram and 14th among all players last season. Having a target in the middle of the field could open things up for the Vikings offense, which has seen an efficient version of Justin Jefferson but not much from Jordan Addison, who posted a photo with the caption "FREE 3" on Instagram last weekend. Related: Vikings WR Jordan Addison clears up cryptic 'Free 3' Instagram story post While Addison downplayed any issue with his role in the offense, Hockenson's presence could lead to more targets, which has been something the Vikings have been waiting for all season.
"I think T.J.'s ready to play," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said this week.
"He's as good as he's really looked since we've gotten him here and that's saying something considering the impact he made right away in '22 and then the season he was having last year at the time he got hurt. I know he's excited. Everybody's excited to have him back out there.
Huge part of our system and offense and organization." For Hockenson, it will be a relief just to get back on the field and a testament to the work he's put in to come back from the injury. "To feel at myself, better than I was.
.. just again, [I'm] super thankful all glory to the man above," Hockenson said.
"He's put me in a really good position and I'm just very blessed to be in the position I am and to be at the point I am in this rehab." Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
