(Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
The 2023 NFL season was brutal for the Minnesota Vikings as the once-promising squad led by superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson dealt with several injuries to key players that derailed the team’s success, and they ultimately fell short of returning to the NFL playoffs.
Along with former quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles) and Jefferson (hamstring), Minnesota lost T.J. Hockenson to a torn ACL and MCL injury in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, which was thought to cost him time during the 2024 campaign, potentially.
Fortunately for Hockenson, Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell claims that his star tight end is ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery.
However, despite that positive outlook, O’Connell isn’t ready to say Hockenson will be ready to play Week 1 when the Vikings go on the road to take on the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 8, according to The Purple Persuasion.
HC Kevin O’Connell said #Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson is ahead of schedule on his recovery from ACL/MCL.
But O’Connell noted he’s not in a place to make an assessment if he could play week 1. pic.twitter.com/X3Las6uGgP
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 2, 2024
Before getting injured, Hockenson was having an outstanding year for the Vikings, racking up career-high numbers in receptions (95) and receiving yards (960), along with five touchdowns.
With the team in transition, especially on offense, Hockenson is very important to Minnesota’s efforts and will be sorely missed until he can return.
Plus, he is losing time to get acclimated to playing with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy or veteran Sam Darnold as they battle to take over for Cousins.
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