Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL he suffered in Week 16 of the 2023 NFL season. Hockenson is getting closer to returning to the field as the Vikings opened up his practice window.
The tight end was placed on the PUP list to begin the season and on Friday, the Vikings officially opened the practice window for him. Hockenson can practice for three weeks before Minnesota adds him to their active roster or keeps him on the IR for the rest of the season.
However, it seems likely that Hockenson will return to the field sometime in the next three weeks.
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T.J. Hockenson injury update: What happened to Vikings TE?
T.J. Hockenson suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee during Minnesota's 30-24 loss Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions last season.
"It was a very, very unfortunate play," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said at the time of the injury, via ESPN. "We've done a nice job [in the NFL] of helping take out some of those head and neck area hits to the defenseless players, [but] some of those low hits can be incredibly catastrophic for guys. It was awful to see that happen."
Hockenson has since undergone surgery and has been rehabbing the injury.
Before the injury in 2023, Hockenson recorded 95 receptions for 960 yards and five touchdowns.
When will T.J. Hockenson return?
T.J. Hockenson is expected to return to the field against the Detroit Lions on October 20 or the Los Angeles Rams on October 24.
"Friday gives us 21 days. Twenty-one days from then gives us the bye week and two football games with us playing Thursday the second week after the bye. That gives us some flexibility," O'Connell said, via YardBarker.
"We've got to get him acclimated, back to football," O'Connell added. "It's just going to be great to have him back on the grass with the guys."
The Lions game on October 20 will mark 17 days since his practice window opened, while the Thursday Night game against the Rams marks 21 days, which is the day he has to be activated.
However, Minnesota still can opt to activate Hockenson and not play him as they try to get the tight end ramped back up. But, all signs point to Hockenson returning to the field later this month.
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