Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has confirmed concerns regarding the significant knee injury suffered by star tight end T.J. Hockenson on December 26, revealing that multiple ligaments were torn. Despite a month passing since the announcement, there has been no official update, causing some external unease.
Vikings insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson shared a potentially worrisome update on Hockenson’s condition during the “Mackey & Judd” show on January 25. According to Wolfson, there hasn’t been confirmation of surgery as of yet. Given the nature of the injury involving multiple ligaments, the timing for surgery was anticipated to be in the mid-to-late January timeframe. However, with January 25th upon us, there is still no confirmation that Hockenson has undergone the expected surgical procedure.
The injury occurred during the Vikings’ Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions, resulting from a hit delivered by safety Kerby Joseph. Despite delivering the unfortunate news, Coach Kevin O’Connell expressed optimism for Hockenson’s recovery.
“Regrettably, T.J. is now on the path to recovery, and I am confident that he will approach it with the full support and resources available within our organization,” O’Connell informed reporters on December 26. “Knowing T.J. and the kind of player he is, I am eagerly anticipating his return to action, fully prepared for a stellar 2024 season.”
In the recently concluded season, Hockenson achieved new career highs in receptions and receiving yards, narrowly missing out on equaling his previous touchdown record. The tight end is embarking on a four-year, $66 million contract in the upcoming season.
Expressing concerns about Hockenson’s future performance, host Judd Zulgad raised the question, “What will he look like in the year following the injury? How long will it take for him to regain his form as T.J. Hockenson? That’s my worry.”
Both Wolfson and Zulgad concurred that it seems unlikely for Hockenson to be ready for action by Week 1, acknowledging the potential challenges and extended timeline for his recovery.
T.J. Hockenson is Not Adrian Peterson
“When this situation unfolded after the loss to Detroit, my immediate thought was, ‘Well, Adrian Peterson…’. However, it’s essential to recognize that Peterson was a physical freak, and comparing the recovery of a big tight end to him is not realistic,” Zulgad remarked. “Peterson is the exception, not the standard.”
Peterson managed to recover from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in 2011 in less than 10 months, returning to play in all 16 games the following season and leading the league in rushing with over 2,000 yards. His extraordinary recovery contributed to a successful tenure with the Vikings, where he surpassed the 1,000-yard mark multiple times and led the league in carries and rushing in 2015.
Despite Hockenson being the same age as Peterson when the injury occurred, Zulgad emphasized that the two situations differ significantly. The focus for the Vikings should be on aiming for a full and prompt recovery for Hockenson, considering the unique circumstances of each player.
Justin Jefferson Calls Out NFL’s Social Media Team Over T.J. Hockenson
Vikings players find themselves as spectators during these playoffs, and standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson expressed his displeasure with what he witnessed during the Lions’ Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Rams. The cause for concern stemmed from a celebratory sign that highlighted Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s infamous quote about biting kneecaps from his introductory press conference. The sign juxtaposed this quote with the logos of both the Vikings and the Rams.
Adding to the somber mood, the Rams lost tight end Tyler Higbee to a comparable injury, resulting from a hit delivered by Joesph during the game. The incident further intensified the disappointment for the Vikings players who could only watch as their season concluded, witnessing the Lions’ unexpected journey to the Divisional Round.
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