As has been expected
The Minnesota Vikings kept tight end T.J. Hockenson on their Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List when they set their 53-man roster, meaning that he is required to sit out at least the first four games of the 2024 regular season. As far as for when he’s actually expected back, it would appear that the timeline is what most of us have been anticipating for some time.
Behind the great E$PN paywall, Dan Graziano have put together their “Week 1 Buzz” for teams around the league, and it includes this one small tidbit about Hockenson.
The Vikings are loosely targeting a Week 7 or so return for tight end T.J. Hockenson (torn ACL and MCL).
A week 7 return for Hockenson would put him back into the fold right after the team’s bye week, which follows their trip to London in Week 5. It would also put him in line to return against his former team, the Detroit Lions, at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Lions were the team that Hockenson suffered his injury against, as we all know.
Honestly, if the Vikings can’t bring Hockenson back for the first four weeks anyway, giving him one more game off and the bye week to complete whatever he needs to complete makes the most sense. As much as I dislike the early bye week in most instances, this is one sense where it actually helps the Vikings a bit if they can get Hockenson back as a result of it.
I don’t think any of us are surprised that the Vikings are targeting Week 7 for Hockenson’s return, but it is nice to get something of a confirmation on that.
