TJ Hockenson’s great year with the Vikings is cut short by a terrible knee injury.
There was more bad news for the Minnesota Vikings. This time, it was injury to insult. The Vikings’ chances of making the playoffs were hurt by their 30–24 loss to the Detroit Lions over the weekend. The Lions won their first NFC North victory since 1993.
But tight end T.J. Hockenson hurt his knee during the game and was rapidly ruled useless for the rest of it. Now we know why. The Vikings said on Tuesday that Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL while making a hit.
He grabbed a ball over the middle at the start of the third quarter, and Kirby Joseph hit him low. Hockenson got up quickly, but he had to limp off the field along with was soon ruled out.
With 95 catches for 960 yards, Hockenson already had set a career high. Early this year, he signed a new deal worth $68.5 million. The most money ever promised to a tight end was $42.5 million.
The injury not only makes it less likely that the Vikings will be able to play football in mid-January, but it could also affect next season because the player could need a year to heal. In week 1 of next year, it will have been a little over nine months since the accident.
On Tuesday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said that tests showed that tight end T.J. Hockenson broke both the ACL as well as MCL ligaments in his left knee in Sunday’s 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions.
On the Vikings’ third offensive play in the third quarter, the player got hurt. Lions safety Kerby Joseph hit Hockenson in the knee after he jumped to catch a 24-yard pass.
O’Connell said, “It was a very, very bad play.” “The NFL has done a good job of helping to stop some of those hits to the head and neck of defenseless players, but some of individuals low hits can be very bad for guys.” It was terrible to see that happen.
In his first full season with the Vikings, Hockenson was having a great year. He ran to the benches right away and was soon taken out of the game.
He has the second most catches by a tight end in the NFL with 95 and the third most receiving yards with 960.
He has also been the Vikings’ most reliable offensive threat this season while quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide Justin Jefferson have both been hurt badly.
Hockenson has 155 catches, which is more than any other tight end in the NFL since the Vikings got him from the Lions at the trade deadline in 2022.
In August, he agreed to a new four-year deal that will pay himself at least $66 million and up to $68.5 million.
An important player for the Minnesota Vikings was hurt in Week 16’s 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions.
The team said on Tuesday that tight end T.J. Hockenson hurt his ACL and MCL, which will end his season.
It’s not clear how long the pro will be out or if he will be able to play again when the 2024 season starts.
The defensive back Kerby Joseph hit Hockenson hard in the right leg in the third quarter, which took the defensive back out of the game. He caught four passes for 58 yards before leaving the game.
“Being aware of the kind of player T.J. is, I can’t wait until we can get him back on track and ready for a great 2024 season,” Vikings manager Kevin O’Connell said.
In his first full season with the Vikings, Hockenson had a great season. He caught 95 passes, gained 960 yards, and scored five scores in 15 games.
Out of all tight ends, he has 960 receiving yards, which is third most after George Kittle or Travis Kelce. He has caught 95 passes, which is second only to Evan Engram.
The Vikings’ single-season record for receptions by a tight end was set by Hockenson. He was also on track to break the record for yards gained by a Vikings tight end in a single season.