TJ Hockenson injury: Should fantasy managers be stressed about Vikings TE's ACL injury?

T.J. Hockenson is coming off an ACL injury in his right knee that he suffered in the 2023 season. Going into 2024, it's important to know the status of his recovery and how it might impact him.

The Minnesota Vikings tight end will remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start the season and miss at least four games, according to reports.

---

Should fantasy managers be worried about Vikings TE?

Fantasy managers should generally have a little bit of concern for every player who comes off such a devastating injury. Some players come back perfectly fine but for others, it's a long process, and they're never quite the same.

T.J. Hockenson won't play until at least October. He doesn't base his game on speed, but he does use route-running. Routes often put a strain on the knees, which means he could be limited for a while after coming back.

---

T.J. Hockenson injury update

Hockenson will miss the first four games of the season, but will be eligible to return for the home game against the New York Jets on Oct. 6. However, KSTP reporter Darren Wolfson, who covers the Minnesota Vikings, previously reported that Hockenson is unlikely to be active until after the bye week, making the Oct. 20 game against the Detroit Lions a more realistic scenario.

TJ Hockenson won't play for several weeks (Imagn)

While that may seem like a long way off, it's important to remember that Hockenson went down in Week 16, which is almost the end of the season. ACL tears require at least nine to 12 months of recovery, so his potential return falls within that timeline.

This matters a lot for fantasy managers. Tight end is a notoriously fickle position, and it's hard to find good players at value there. Hockenson can be one, but it's a risk to draft him when you know he won't play for several weeks.

Managers will need to find a tight end to play for the first six weeks or so of the NFL season. From there, they can potentially rely on Hockenson, but drafting the Vikings star means tough sledding for the first few weeks. Depending on your roster, it may not be worth the risk.