Vikings TE TJ Hockenson might not be ready for Week 1

Field Level Media|published: Fri 17th May, 17:22 2024

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-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson provided an update on his surgically repaired right knee Friday, indicating he's made good progress but has a long way to go.

Hockenson, the eighth overall pick by the Detroit Lions in 2019, suffered ACL and MCL damage in a Week 16 loss to Detroit and had surgery delayed until Jan. 29 because of swelling.

"They (the team) haven't really put a timeline on it," Hockenson said this week via NFL Media. "We're just kinda taking it day by day, week by week. There's just so many variables that you can go through in this process.

"I'm doing really good right now. We're attacking each process. I'm attacking each one and it's been awesome. The progression has been incredible."

NFL.com speculated Hockenson might miss the season's first few weeks but the two-time Pro Bowler might be ready to take the team flight to London for a Week 5 matchup with the New York Jets.

Traded to Minnesota by the Lions during the 2022 season, Hockenson had 60 catches, three of them touchdowns, for 519 yards in those 10 games with the Vikings.

He became a major component of the Minnesota offense last season, with 95 receptions for 960 yards, scoring five touchdowns in 15 games before his season was cut short.

Hockenson's four-year, $66 million contract runs through 2027.

The team signed veteran tight end Robert Tonyan on Thursday.

-Field Level Media

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