T.J. Hockenson has not yet played this season for the Vikings, but he seemed very close to being ready on Sunday against Detroit. With the Vikings now deciding to move on from veteran Robert Tonyan it appears they have tipped their hand at the skill position.

Bo Richter paves way for Minnesota Vikings T.J. Hockenson

Last weekend the Vikings squared off against T.J. Hockenson’s former Detroit Lions team. It would have made sense for him to be active and make an impact on the game. Instead, Kevin O’Connell and the powers that be decided to keep him out. Robert Tonyan was released on Tuesday, promoting Bo Richter to the active roster, and making it certain that Hockenson will return.

Bo Richter SZN!

The #Vikings have signed Richter to the active roster and released TE Robert Tonyan pic.twitter.com/aPyRoHaZFw

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 22, 2024

The Vikings starting tight end has been out since Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph took him out on a dirty hit last season. Minnesota jumped out to a 5-1 record in 2024 to set themselves off on a good for. O’Connell getting Hockenson back into the starting lineup is hardly a bad thing, and quarterback Sam Darnold immediately gets a boost.

Richter flashed during the preseason and can be a difference maker on defense. It remains to be seen what sort of run he will generate in the short term. You can bet that Hockenson quickly becomes a focal point of the offense, however.

Related: Rumors are Flying that Vikings are in Serious Trade Talks with Rams for Matthew Stafford

What does T.J. Hockenson bring to the Minnesota Vikings?

The reality is that the Minnesota Vikings never had a replacement for T.J. Hockenson. That shouldn’t be a shock given his Pro Bowl-caliber ability. Hockenson is an adept talent in all facets of the tight end position. He can block, lead, and catch. He’ll quickly be a focal point of the offense moving forward.

Unbelievable catch by T.J. Hockenson. Wow. pic.twitter.com/0PpENaNGaQ

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) December 24, 2022

In his absence the Vikings have relied on blocking tight end Josh Oliver, and veteran backup Johnny Mundt. Hockenson can accomplish both of their traits at a higher level, and immediately transform the Vikings offense. Darnold has proven capable to this point, but the additional of a talent like Hockenson only takes him further forward.

Darnold has developed a chemistry with receivers like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. He believes that Aaron Jones can generate first downs. He’ll now be able to learn on Hockenson’s ability to contribute as well, and that will take the Minnesota offense to an entirely new level.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Seriously Considering a Move to Dalton Risner

As the Vikings look to rebound from their first loss of the season, getting healthier is hardly a bad thing. Hockenson is the first step in that path forward, and whatever Bo Richter can do as a replacement becomes a nice caveat.

The #Vikings have elevated OLB Bo Richter and TE Robert Tonyan to the active roster for tomorrow's game. pic.twitter.com/BrvuB45IaV

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 28, 2024

Minnesota Vikings activate Bo Richter vs Green Bay Packers

Bo Richter is a 2024 undrafted free agent, and someone who stuck out early during offseason workouts. During the Vikings preseason, the former Air Force phenom managed 3 tackles and 2 sacks on 86 total defensive snaps. He scored a 66.7 preseason defensive grade at PFF, including a 77.9 run defense grade.

Related: 4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 4 Matchup vs Packers

Last week, Richter got some run with the Minnesota Vikings defense. He logged 13 total snaps, and nabbed one defensive tackle. His 57.1 PFF grade wasn’t very good, but his time on the field was limited. Not to mention, it was his NFL debut. Bo also logged 17 snaps on special teams, grading out at a very respectable 73.5, according to PFF.

As a senior at Air Force in 2023, Bo Richter logged 45 tackes, including 20 tackles for loss, which led the entire country. Out of those 20 TFLs, 10 were sacks. The Vikings really like this kid, and for good reason, Not only can he rush the passer, but he has proven to be a very good EDGE defender against the run, too. Oh, and his teammate skills are on point.

I need Bo Richter on this defense, man! pic.twitter.com/eNIa8jqZD3

— Bob Netherlands (@bobnetherlands) September 26, 2024

Former Packer, Robert Tonyan, also activated

Camp injuries put an end to what was a very exciting start to Vikings workouts for Robert Tonyan, late this summer. The former Packer will now be active for the second straight week. This time, against his former team. Tonyan has proven himself as a good tight end, in the right situation.

Related: 3 Keys To A Minnesota Vikings Victory Over the Green Bay Packers

In six NFL seasons the 30-year-old former Indiana State Sycamore has totalled 1,549 yards on 148 catches. In his best season (2020 with Aaron Rodgers), Tonyan caught 52 of his 59 targets, for 586 yards (11.3 YPR) and 11 touchdowns. KOC loves the revenge narrative, so while he didn’t get on the field for an offensive snap in week 3, don’t be surprised if his head coach works Robert Tonyan in for a TD opportunity vs his former squad.

That’s why, in week 3, the Vikings will activate two practice squad players. It’ll be the first game day elevation this year, for rookie OLB Bo Richter and veteran TE Robert Tonyan.

The #Vikings have elevated OLB Bo Richter and TE Robert Tonyan to the active roster for tomorrow’s game. pic.twitter.com/mCikmuHRbV

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 21, 2024

Minnesota Vikings activate EDGE Bo Richter

Bo Richter was a fan favorite during Minnesota Vikings training camp, and the preseason, where he managed 3 tackles and 2 sacks on 86 total defensive snaps. He scored a 66.7 preseason defensive grade at PFF, including a 77.9 run defense grade.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Keys to Victory vs Houston Texans

In college, Richter was an animal at Air Force, especially as a senior in 2023, where he racked up 45 tackes, including 20 tackles for loss, which led the entire country. Out of those 20 TFLs, 10 were sacks. If Richter gets run on Sunday, I’d expect it to come on early downs, to help stop the run.

Bo Richter has been UNREAL. He has the best closing speed of any UDFA I’ve ever seen.

He will 100% make the Vikings’ 53-man roster after getting his 2nd sack here: pic.twitter.com/AorT8XPNdO

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) August 10, 2024

Vikings activate TE Robert Tonyan

Robert Tonyan was the talk of the town, when training camp first got going. Nobody could believe how good he looked, in the absence of TJ Hockenson. Some wondered if he would challenge for the starting job, while Hock continued his recovery from knee surgery.

Unfortunately, camp injury issues stopped that from ever blossoming into reality. But, he’ll be active vs the Texans. Tonyan has a history of productive tight end play, for division rival Green Bay. In six seasons in the NFL (5 with Packers), Tonyan posted 1,549 yards on 148 catches.

Related: 4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 3 Matchup vs Texans

In 2020, with Aaron Rodgers as his QB, the now 30-year-old out of Indiana State caught 52 of his 59 targets, for 586 yards (11.3 YPR) and 11 touchdowns. If healthy, Robert absolutely adds another pass catcher to a tight end room that already has a couple. We’ll see if he gets any run, on Sunday.

Robert Tonyan extends the @Packers lead! #GoPackGo

📺: #MINvsGB on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/ePbCm6rlT4 pic.twitter.com/oREU3T5ESp

— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2023

Minnesota Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson expected to miss time but still put up over 1,000 receiving yards?

Although there’s six tight ends on roster, only three to four are expected to make the final 53. As it’s been hinted at over the last couple months, expect one of the best tight ends in the league, T.J. Hockenson, to start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, while he recovers from a torn MCL/ACL injury sustained last season. This will open up a roster spot for an additional tight end, at least until Hockenson is ready to return.

Per Alec Lewis (The Athletic), he still expects Hockenson to put up over 1,000 receiving yards this season, despite the games he’ll miss. If that’s the case, this would be pretty big for the Vikings offense and also signals that Hockenson will be back sooner rather than later for the 2024 NFL season.

Per @Alec_Lewis, #Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson is likely to miss time at the beginning of the season, however, he wouldn’t bet against Hockenson putting up over 1,000 receiving yards still 🤯

📸: Bruce Kluckhohn pic.twitter.com/cPwVHCsZXR

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 19, 2024

TE T.J. Hockenson: Jogged on the side field this spring. Likely to miss some time at the beginning of the season, but I still wouldn’t bet against him putting up 1,000 yards.

Alec Lewis (The Athletic)

Robert Tonyan the No. 3 most targeted Minnesota Vikings’ pass catcher?

Robert Tonyan has been very impressive thus far for the Vikings this offseason. Not only has he flashed to the media, Lewis recently noted that he wouldn’t be blown away if Tonyan was the No. 3 most targeted Minnesota Vikings’ pass catcher until Hockenson returns.

Per @Alec_Lewis, he “would not be blown away” if #Vikings TE Robert Tonyan was the No. 3 most targeted Vikings pass catcher until T.J. Hockenson returns 🧐

Lewis noted that he was “frisky” this spring.

📸: Andy Kenutis pic.twitter.com/9r4s2RQwIo

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 18, 2024

TE Robert Tonyan: Would not be blown away if he was the No. 3 most targeted Vikings pass catcher until Hockenson returns. This spring, he was that frisky.

Alec Lewis (The Athletic)

Related: Wait… Sam Darnold Threw How Many Interceptions at Vikings Minicamp?!

If Tonyan is No. 3 in targets for an early part of the season, he’d likely be on target to also finish with over 1,000 receiving yards given how head coach Kevin O’Connell wants the tight ends involved in his offense. That could put two tight ends over 1,000 yards to the end the season. If Tonyan is playing well, how will O’Connell allocate the snaps between Hockenson and Tonyan? A good “problem” to have if you’re O’Connell.

What about the other Minnesota Vikings’ tight ends?

Outside of Johnny Mundt, who O’Connell calls the “third best tight end in the league”, it’s unlikely any of the other remaining tight ends on the roster will get enough targets to sniff 1,000 receiving yards. Josh Oliver can catch, but he’s one of the top pass blocking tight ends in the league. Nick Muse, who’s spent most of his Vikings’ tenure on the practice squad, has three career snaps in the regular season, and lastly Trey Knox seems like a longshot to make the roster.

Related: Vikings’ Mekhi Blackmon in Driver’s Seat for Starting Cornerback Position

In the end, we know what Hockenson can do when he’s healthy. His 78.8 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade was 3rd best of 52 tight ends (minimum 25 targets) last season. Meanwhile, Tonyan seems to be turning heads so far this offseason. In a good way of course. We’ll see how things shake out over these coming months, but the Minnesota Vikings could potentially have a good “problem” at the tight end position later on in the season.

Some players face better odds of securing a roster spot than others, and it appears one of the Vikings’ recent signings, tight end Robert Tonyan, is off to a strong start.

Robert Tonyan wants revenge on Chicago Bears

According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, the Vikings were “blown away” during Tonyan’s workout in mid-May. He added that Tonyan “looked” like a “favorite target” of quarterbacks during OTAs.

Meanwhile, Tonyan, who signed shortly after the workout occurred, played last season with the Chicago Bears after five seasons with the Green Bay Packers. His best seasons came in 2020 and 2022 when Tonyan recorded 586 and 470-yard seasons, including tying for an NFL-lead 11 touchdown receptions.

But things were different in Chicago, where Tonyan appeared in all 17 games but was targeted just 17 times. He’d catch 11 of those targets for 112 yards and played in just 28% of the team’s offensive snaps.

Now, Tonyan’s looking for revenge on the Bears after describing his time in Chicago as a “tough situation, going from playing 60 snaps to 10.”

Reports of Tonyan having an excellent summer is nothing new. They also back up what Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling reported during Vikings minicamp, when Tonyan got extra work due to T.J. Hockenson’s ongoing absence due to injury.

According to @BenGoessling, #Vikings TE Robert Tonyan stood out during the team’s minicamp the last 3 days and showed a strong connection with QB J.J. McCarthy 🔥

“With Hockenson still rehabbing his knee injury, Tonyan got plenty of work behind Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt… pic.twitter.com/Q9km3CfIfY

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 7, 2024

The truth is, Tonyan, if he can continue to stick out for all the right reasons, could very well earn not only a roster spot but possibly even a significant role within Kevin O’Connell’s offense. Depending on how long Hockenson’s ACL recovery keeps him sidelined, and some indications suggest it could be as long as six games or more, the Vikings’ need for another pass-catching weapon at tight end could fall on Tonyan’s shoulders.

While the coaching staff still loves Josh Oliver, his best asset will always be his ability to block. Tonyan is closer to the mold of Hockenson, so he’s an ideal short-term replacement as a weapon in the passing game.

Last year, the Vikings had four tight ends on the roster, and their need for more depth only grows without Hockenson. At this rate, it wouldn’t be surprising if Tonyan proved to be one of the best solutions between Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, N’Keal Harry, Trey Knox, and Sammis Reyes. He’s certainly off to a good start.

Related: Sam Darnold Shines at Vikings Minicamp

However, just because the two competing quarterbacks were both first-round selections, drafted much higher than Cousins, it doesn’t mean that either will be as successful. No matter who’s starting at QB for the Vikings, he’ll still need a lot of help from his teammates.

We know we can count on Justin Jefferson on gameday, and Jordan Addison proved plenty capable as a rookie too. Meanwhile, T.J. Hockenson is currently recovering from offseason ACL surgery, and the Pro Bowl tight end might not be ready for the start of the regular season.

Backup tight end Josh Oliver is ready for more snaps, but his best role is as a blocking tight end, where he can focus on helping the Vikings improve Kevin O’Connell’s rushing offense. So if Hock isn’t ready for snaps in training camp, and if Oliver isn’t a catch-first tight end, the quarterbacks might want another experienced option to mix in at tight end.

The good news is, the Vikings just signed a tight end with six years of experience.

Minnesota Vikings sign former Packers tight end Robert Tonyan

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Minnesota Vikings have signed Robert Tonyan Jr. The former Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers tight end worked out with the Tennessee Titans and Vikings earlier this week, but he chose to stay in the NFC North.

Tonyan once saw a sizable role with the Packers back in 2020, incredibly hauling in 52 of 59 targets for 586 yards and an NFL-leading (for tight ends) 11 touchdowns. While he only started eight games, that’s starter-level production from Tonyan.

But it’s all been downhill since. Tonyan’s next greatest season came in 2022, again with the Packers, catching 53 of 67 targets for 470 yards and two touchdowns. Most recently, Tonyan caught 11 of 17 targets in Chicago for 112 yards.

While he won’t compete for a starting role as long as Hockenson is healthy in Minnesota, adding Tonyan now gives the 30-year-old Illinois native a chance to stick on the roster by getting familiarized with KOC’s system and his new teammates. We don’t know how long Hockenson will be out, but for now, Tonyan’s competing with Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, and undrafted rookie free agent Trey Knox.

Related: NFL Oddsmakers Have Vikings Losing Nearly Every Game on Newly Released Schedule