The Vikings have formally activated T.J. Hockenson from the Bodily Unable to Carry out record, establishing the Professional Bowl tight finish to make his 2024 debut against the Colts on Sunday night.
Hockenson tore his ACL in December 2023, ending his year and sidelining him into the 2024 season. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft averaged a career-high 6.3 receptions and 64.0 yards per game in his first full season in Minnesota before his injury. He was traded to the Vikings by the Lions at the 2022 deadline and earned a four-year, $66M extension after quickly assimilating to head coach Kevin O’Connell‘s offense.
Hockenson’s return will likely be an enormous enhance to a Vikings squad that has misplaced their final two video games after beginning the season 5-0. Star left sort out Christian Darrisaw injured both his ACL and MCL in Week 8, requiring season-ending surgery that may place extra strain on quarterback Sam Darnold.
Hockenson received’t make up for Darrisaw’s absence as a blocker, however he’ll be a part of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones to spherical out probably the greatest pass-catching corps within the NFL. 2022 seventh-rounder Jalen Nailor has been a pleasing shock in Minnesota this yr, recording 32.7 yards per recreation and three touchdowns as a tertiary goal for Darnold with little receiving contributions from his tight ends.
Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt have mixed for simply 165 yards on 21 receptions this yr. Hockenson ought to simply surpass their 23.6 yards per recreation common and add a extra dynamic menace to the Vikings offense.
