LOS ANGELES — The Minnesota Vikings determined to carry tight finish T.J. Hockenson out of Thursday evening’s recreation on the Los Angeles Rams.
However the Vikings plan to activate him Friday to their 53-man roster and have him obtainable for his or her Week 9 recreation in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts on “Sunday Night time Soccer.”
Hockenson hasn’t performed since tearing the ACL and MCL in his proper knee in a Dec. 24 recreation in opposition to the Detroit Lions. He spent coaching camp and the whole common season up to now on the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) record.
The Vikings opened his 21-day window to renew training on Oct. 4, a date timed to present them flexibility this week in the event that they determined he was not but able to play. The window expires Friday, at which level the Vikings should activate him or lose him for the season.
Talking to reporters final week, Hockenson mentioned he can be able to play at any time when the group activated him.
“It is healed,” Hockenson mentioned of the knee. “It is stronger than ever, from assessments after I was wholesome final yr to assessments now. It is sturdy. Stronger than it is in all probability ever been. So now it is simply going on the market and enjoying ball. I’ve handed each check by miles from the place my floor base was. I am greater, stronger, quicker than ever and now it is being able to go on the market and play ball.”
Hockenson has been a fixture of the Vikings’ offense since they acquired him from the Lions on the 2022 commerce deadline. From that time, in 25 profession video games with the group up till his damage, Hockenson caught extra passes (155) than any tight finish within the NFL, for the second-most yards (1,479).
In his absence, the Vikings have relied totally on backups Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver, every of whom have recorded a landing reception this season. However coach Kevin O’Connell realigned the offense in Hockenson’s absence, and thru seven weeks, the Vikings have averaged 4 targets per recreation to tight ends — the second fewest within the NFL.
Getting into Thursday evening’s recreation, Mundt and Oliver have mixed for 18 receptions for 125 yards this season.
