Vikings open practice window for TE T.J. Hockenson

Field Level Media|published: 10/02/2024, 3:07pm EDT

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) warms up before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings will open the 21-day practice window for Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson on Friday.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Hockenson is ahead of guard Dalton Risner, who remains on the physically unable to perform list.

Hockenson is not a candidate to be added to the 53-man roster or be active for Week 5, when the Vikings (4-0) play the New York Jets (2-2) in London. Minnesota has a bye Week 6.

The Vikings have 21 days to activate Hockenson with the hope he can play as soon as Week 7 against the Detroit Lions.

Risner, who re-signed with the Vikings in May, dealt with a back injury in August and was placed on the PUP list. He started 11 games for the Vikings last season.

Hockenson began the season on the PUP list. He tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee on Dec. 24 in a 30-24 loss to the Lions. The 27-year-old Hockenson had surgery on Jan. 29. He is a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Entering his sixth NFL season, Hockenson was the No. 8 overall pick by the Lions in the 2019 NFL Draft, traded to Minnesota in 2022. In 72 career games (60 starts), Hockenson has 3,547 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns.

Before the injury last season, Hockenson had 95 catches in 127 targets for 960 yards and five TDs.

--Field Level Media