Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Paces pass catchers in loss
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Hockenson brought in all five targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in the Vikings' 27-9 wild-card loss to the Rams on Monday night. He finished the regular season with 41 receptions for 455 yards on 62 targets over 10 games.
The veteran tight end was one of the few bright spots in the disappointing season-ending loss, bringing in Sam Darnold's only touchdown pass of the night from 26 yards out with just over five minutes remaining in the game. It was an encouraging finish for Hockenson amid a disappointing team outcome, as he missed the first seven games of the season while completing his recovery from multiple ligament tears in his knee that he'd suffered late in the 2023 season. Hockenson seemingly worked back to full health down the stretch and even recorded one 100-yard performance, which should leave him poised for a big 2025 season as he likely begins working with J.J. McCarthy (knee) as his quarterback.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Struggles with eight targets
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Hockenson had two receptions on eight targets for nine yards in Sunday's 31-9 loss to the Lions.
Horrible catch rates was the theme for the Vikings' receiving unit in Sunday's NFC North battle for the No. 1 seed in the conference. Hockenson, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison combined for just six receptions on 23 targets (26 percent catch rate) in quarterback Sam Darnold's worst game of an otherwise impressive season. The 28-year-old Hockenson finishes the regular season with 41 receptions, 455 yards and no touchdowns in an injury-shortened campaign. Minnesota's entire offense will try to get back on track ahead of next Monday's wild-card round matchup against the Rams.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Hockenson has yet to score a touchdown this season, but now would be a good time against his former team. He missed the first game against the Lions in Week 7 when he was still recovering from last year's knee injury, but he will hopefully do well in Week 18. Hockenson has scored at least 10.2 PPR points in two of his past three games, and Detroit has allowed four tight ends to score at least 8.9 PPR points in the past four games, including two touchdowns.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Racks up 68 yards
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Hockenson recorded five receptions on six targets for 68 yards in Sunday's 27-25 win over the Packers.
Hockenson recorded his highest yardage total since Week 12, highlighted by a 28-yard grab up the seam to help set up a field goal just before halftime. While his yardage totals haven't been particularly impressive, Hockenson's role has been consistent as he has at least five targets in six straight contests.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Finishes with 27 yards Sunday
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Hockenson had two receptions on five targets for 27 yards in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Seahawks.
Hockenson struggled to put up big numbers Sunday, finishing with his second-lowest receiving total of the season against Seattle. The 26-year-old has been held scoreless in eight starts this season, resulting in middling statistics for a shallow fantasy position. Hockenson and his managers will hope for better results against Green Bay next Sunday.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Five-catch effort Monday
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Hockenson brought in five of seven targets for 52 yards in the Vikings' 30-12 win over the Bears on Monday night.
Hockenson played third wheel in the air attack to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but the veteran tight end still turned in a solid line that featured his second-highest catch total since Week 10. Hockenson also drew the second-most targets of any of his first seven games since his delayed season debut, and he should once again garner a fair amount of Sam Darnold's attention in a Week 16 road trip to Seattle.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Four catches in Week 14 win
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Hockenson secured four of five targets for 45 yards in the Vikings' 42-21 win over the Falcons on Sunday.
The veteran tight end was quiet throughout most of the afternoon, but he opened the second half with catches of 10 and 18 yards on the Vikings' first possession of the third quarter. Hockenson's reception total was the third highest of his injury-delayed season, as was his yardage tally. Hockenson and the Vikings next welcome in the Bears for a Week 15 home matchup on Monday night, Dec. 16.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Just three receptions in win
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Hockenson had three receptions for 28 yards on six targets in Sunday's win over Arizona.
Hockenson didn't produce much yardage but he was still tied for second on the Vikings in targets. He should rebound next week against Atlanta, but in five games since recovering from knee surgery and making his 2024 debut, the tight end has received just five targets inside the 20-yard line this season and no targets inside the five-yard line. Without increased red-zone usage, Hockenson's fantasy ceiling and touchdown upside will be capped.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Breaks out against Bears
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Hockenson recorded seven receptions on nine targets for 114 yards in Sunday's 30-27 overtime win over the Bears.
Hockenson gained a combined 112 yards in his first three games of the season, though he had an explosive performance in Sunday's win with three receptions of at least 20 yards. It was also his first 100-yard performance since Week 10 of the 2023 season. The Vikings talked up Hockenson's role heading into Sunday's matchup, particularly with Josh Oliver (ankle) sidelined, and he should start to see a more consistent role moving forward.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Playing time likely to trend upward
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Hockenson said Friday that he expects his playing time to start trending upward, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Hockenson has played just under 50 percent of the offensive snaps in each of the three games he's played in since his activation from the reserve/PUP list. With fellow Vikings tight endJosh Oliver battling an ankle injury and ruled out this week, Hockenson has been taking more practice reps in packages he hasn't played in this year. Getting on the field more should lead to a larger route share, which in turn boosts Hockenson's target-volume projection.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Just two receptions in win
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Hockenson had two receptions for 13 yards on three targets in Sunday's win at Tennessee.
Hockenson was on the field with the starters and played on 35 of the offense's 73 snaps, going out on 25 routes. After drawing nine targets in his previous game, he wasn't utilized as much against the Titan, which was a surprise since he's likely just getting back to full speed in his third game since returning from a torn ACL. He played the same share of snaps (45 percent) as his two previous games, so it's possible he could see increased usage as the season progresses.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: TEs to Start
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Hockenson looked like his old self in Week 10 at Jacksonville with eight catches for 72 yards on nine targets, and hopefully now he's fully recovered from last year's torn ACL. He should have a chance for another quality outing in Week 11 at Tennessee, and the Titans have struggled with tight ends of late. In their past four games, five tight ends have scored at least 7.8 PPR points against Tennessee, including two touchdowns. Hockenson could be a top-five Fantasy tight end in Week 11, especially if he scores.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Paces pass catchers in win
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Hockenson recorded eight receptions on nine targets for 72 yards in Sunday's 12-7 win over the Jaguars.
Sunday marked Hockenson's second game since returning from a torn ACL, but he quickly emerged as a favorite option for Sam Darnold. He tied for the team lead with nine targets and easily led the unit in yardage. Hockenson's longest gain came on a 26-yard catch and run early in the fourth quarter to set Minnesota up for the game-winning field goal. He has the potential to be one of the most impactful players at the position down the stretch, particularly if Darnold continues to struggle when pushing the ball down the field.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Sleeper TEs
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Hockenson had a quiet game in his 2024 debut in Week 9 against the Colts, with three catches for 27 yards on four targets. He only played 45 percent of the snaps, but that should improve in Week 10 at Jacksonville. And the matchup is great since the Jaguars are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. A tight end has scored at least 11.7 PPR points against Jacksonville in four of the past five games, with four touchdowns over that span. Hockenson should be considered a borderline No. 1 Fantasy tight end in all leagues.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Hockenson had a quiet game in his 2024 debut in Week 9 against the Colts with three catches for 27 yards on four targets. He only played 45 percent of the snaps, but that should improve in Week 10 at Jacksonville. And the matchup is great since the Jaguars are No. 10 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. A tight end has scored at least 11.7 PPR points against Jacksonville in four of the past five games, with four touchdowns over that span. Hockenson should be considered a borderline No. 1 Fantasy tight end in all leagues.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Ready to return to action
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Hockenson (knee) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game against the Colts.
With a trio of full practices behind him this week, Hockenson is poised for his first game action since he tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee Dec. 24. With Hockenson healthy, QB Sam Darnold will have his full allotment of skill-position talent available this weekend, namely WR Justin Jefferson, RB Aaron Jones, Hockenson and WR Jordan Addison.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Hockenson is expected to make his 2024 debut in Week 9 against the Colts, and hopefully he's ready to make a strong contribution for the Vikings and Fantasy managers right away. Indianapolis is No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, and four tight ends have scored at least 12.4 PPR points against the Colts this year. Hopefully, Hockenson doesn't need to shake off the rust from the knee injury he suffered in Week 16 last season, and he could return as a weekly starter for Fantasy managers to close out the year.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Logs full practice Wednesday
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Hockenson (knee) practiced fully Wednesday.
After the Vikings designated Hockenson for return from the reserve/PUP list on Oct. 4, they had two chances to activate him for game action but opted not to do so. The team then brought him back to the active roster last Friday, and he now is practicing without limitations for the first time since tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee last December. Hockenson thus has reclaimed his spot atop the depth chart at tight end for Minnesota as the team begins preparations for Sunday's contest agains the Colts.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Activated from PUP list
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Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Friday that Hockenson (knee) has been activated from the reserve/PUP list.
In a corresponding move, Minnesota placed left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) on injured reserve to clear a spot on the 53-man roster for Hockenson. After suffering ACL and MCL tears last December and undergoing surgery on his right knee in January, Hockenson was sidelined for the start of the season before he was cleared to practice Oct. 4. With his 21-day evaluation window officially closing Friday, the Vikings added Hockenson back to the roster in anticipation that he'll be ready to make his 2024 debut Sunday, Nov. 3 versus the Colts. Considering that Hockenson hadn't advanced beyond limited participation since he resumed practicing earlier this month, he'll likely need to put in at least one full practice during the upcoming week before the Vikings officially clear him to play against Indianapolis.
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Vikings' T.J. Hockenson: Won't play Week 8, should be back Week 9
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The Vikings downgraded Hockenson (knee) to out for Thursday's game against the Rams, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Hockenson's 21-day practice window wraps up Friday, but the team intends to activate him from the reserve/PUP list before the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline and have him available for a Week 9 matchup agains the Colts on Sunday, Nov. 3. He tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee last season on Dec. 24, so he's exactly 10 months removed from sustaining the injuries.
