T.J. Hockenson, the Minnesota Vikings star tight end, is making impressive strides in his knee rehab following a severe injury last season. Although there's no official timeline for his return, Hockenson is optimistic about his recovery process. He is determined to be ready for the Vikings' Week 7 matchup against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. The injury, which he sustained in Week 16, involved tearing his ACL and MCL, causing significant downtime and a delayed surgery in mid-January. Despite the challenges, Hockenson reports day-by-day progress and enthusiastic commitment to each stage of his recovery.

By the Numbers
  • Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16.
  • Surgery was delayed until mid-January to allow the MCL to heal.
Yes, But

The Vikings are expected to place Hockenson on the Physically Unable to Perform List at the start of Training Camp. If he's still on that list after final cuts, he will miss at least the first four games of the season, potentially affecting his return timing.

State of Play
  • Hockenson's injury was caused by a low hit during a Week 16 game.
  • His recovery process includes day-by-day and week-by-week assessments.
What's Next

If Hockenson clears the Physically Unable to Perform List in time, he could be ready for the Week 7 game against the Lions. His return would be a significant boost for the Vikings' offense.

Bottom Line

Hockenson's resolute approach to his rehab is encouraging, but his availability for the early part of the 2024 season remains uncertain. Monitoring his progress closely will be crucial for Vikings' fans and management leading up to the start of the season.