T.J. Hockenson’s Return to Action Becoming More Clear Now

Minnesota Vikings’ tight end T.J. Hockenson suffered a torn ACL and MCL against the Detroit Lions on December 24, 2023. At the time of the injury, there were many within and outside the Vikings’ organization that assumed Hockenson would miss a large percentage of games in 2024. That might not be the case anymore.

Local insider hints at a T.J. Hockenson return for week five or week seven

Appearing on Skor North the other day, Darren Wolfson (KSTP) noted that Hockenson has looked great while rehabbing his knee injury but also went as far with a potential return date for him. It’s sooner than you may think.

According to @DWolfsonKSTP via @SKORNorth, @Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson is “look great” while rehabbing his knee injury.

Wolfson noted that a potential return for the week 5 London game or immediately after the bye week is the tentative timeline.

“[Hockenson] continues to look… pic.twitter.com/ErYKCZLdWM

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 8, 2024

[Hockenson] continues to look great. I don’t think we’ll see him on the field September 8th, but like instead of end of October, early November, you know, maybe he is back either for that game in London or immediately after the bye.

Darren Wolfson (KSTP) via Skor North

Wolfson is pretty plugged into the Vikings’ organization, so usually when he drops these types of nuggets they tend to be fairly accurate. Not only did Wolfson reveal a potential return date for Hockenson but this seems to be somewhat in line with what a national NFL insider heard while visiting Minnesota Vikings’ Training Camp August 2nd through the 3rd.

National insider says T.J. Hockenson could miss three to seven games

Appearing at Minnesota Vikings Training Camp the other week, Dan Graziano (ESPN) believes he won’t miss more than half the season. Going as far to say that he’ll miss anywhere from three to seven games this upcoming season.

According to @DanGrazianoESPN, TE T.J. Hockenson should return at “some point during the first half of the season”.

The estimate he heard, while at @Vikings training camp, was “3 to 7 missed games” 👀

📸: @ESPN pic.twitter.com/CLzDIqHJSZ

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 9, 2024

It appears that Hockenson will not be ready in time to start the regular season. But the team believes it will have him back at some point during the first half of the season. The estimates I heard in my reporting ranged from three to seven missed games. The latter of those would keep him out until early November, as the Vikings have a bye in Week 6.

Dan Graziano (ESPN)

Related: Four Minnesota Vikings UDFAs to Keep Eyes on vs Raiders

This would put Hockenson to return as soon as week 4 against the Green Bay Packers or as late as week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Minnesota Vikings do have a bye week scheduled for week 6, so it’s not quite clear if Graziano factored that week into his three to seven missed games. Regardless, it sounds like he’s going to be back sooner rather than later.

Looks like @Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson is recovery well 😤
pic.twitter.com/SGcrhAfzgR

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 8, 2024