The radio silence surrounding Minnesota Vikings standout tight end T.J. Hockenson and his recovery from a ruptured ACL is ended.
Hockenson sustained the injury during the Vikings’ Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions. However, there was no indication of whether or not he had received surgery to correct it, a point raised by Darren “Doogie” Wolfson on “Mackey & Judd” on January 25.
“Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson underwent successful surgery to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) today, the team announced Monday,” wrote Craig Peters of Vikings.com on January 29. “The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California.
“The team will continue to provide updates, as appropriate, during Hockenson’s recovery.”
“Hockenson also tore the MCL in the same knee and decided, along with the Vikings, to delay the ACL surgery until the MCL had healed,” ESPN’s Kevin Siefert reported on January 29.
Hockenson, 26, concluded the season with 95 receptions for 960 yards, placing second and fourth among all tight ends, respectively. The two-time Pro Bowler also tallied five touchdowns, one short of his career high.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell opens up about T.J. Hockenson.
“Unfortunately for T.J., he’s you know going to be on the road to recovery, and I know he’ll attack that with all of the resources we have in this building,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said on December 26. “Knowing T.J., the type of player he is, I’m absolutely looking forward to when we can get him back rolling and ready to have a great 2024 season.”
Hockenson will enter the first year of a four-year, $66 million contract in 2024. The Vikings can opt out of the contract following the 2025 season for a $7.2 million cap charge.
That may be relevant if he is unable to fully recover.
“Here’s my concern: what does he look like in the year after,” “Judd & Mackey” host Judd Zulgad wondered. “How long does the ramp-up take for him to revert to T.J. Hockenson?” That is my worry.”
According to the Hospital for Special Surgery in September, it usually takes nine to twelve months to fully recover from an ACL injury. The Vikings have only one additional tight end under contract for 2024, Josh Oliver, who has 443 career receiving yards.
Given how long most rookie tight ends take to adjust to the NFL, it would make sense to look at potential free agent options.
The Vikings are also dealing with salary-cap concerns, so they may have to take the bargain route.
Despite T.J. Hockenson’s recovery, free agents have limited end-of-season options.
Potential choices such as Hunter Henry, Dalton Schultz, and even Gerald Everett may cost up to $7 million per year, according to Spotrac. However, they may also be the most trustworthy solutions.
The next tier of tight end choices, which includes Noah Fant, Austin Hooper, and former Viking Irv Smith Jr., might be much more palpable.
Minnesota may also consider an upside play, such as Brock Wright. He sustained an arm injury during the Lions’ Divisional Round victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That might keep his market in a good place for the Vikings. He has 424 receiving yards in his first three NFL seasons.
