Kevin Seifert, ESPN Workers Author
LOS ANGELES — The Minnesota Vikings have determined to carry tight finish T.J. Hockenson out of Thursday night time’s recreation on the Los Angeles Rams, the staff stated.
However the Vikings plan to activate him Friday to their 53-man roster and have him obtainable for his or her Week 9 recreation towards the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Evening Soccer.
Hockenson hasn’t performed since tearing the ACL and MCL in his proper knee in a Dec. 24 recreation towards the Detroit Lions. He spent coaching camp and your entire common season so far on the bodily unable to carry out (PUP) listing.
The Vikings opened his 21-day window to renew working towards on Oct. 4, a date timed to provide 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 stated he could be able to play at any time when the staff activated him.
“It is healed,” Hockenson stated of the knee. “It is stronger than ever, from checks once I was wholesome final yr to checks now. It is robust. Stronger than it is in all probability ever been. So now it is simply going on the market and taking part in ball. I’ve handed each check by miles from the place my floor base was. I am larger, 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 staff up till his harm, 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.
Coming into Thursday night time’s recreation, Mundt and Oliver have mixed for 18 receptions for 125 yards this season.
