The Minnesota Vikings can hardly afford any more injuries to their offensive skill-position players, but tight end T.J. Hockenson appears to be banged up. What happened to Hockenson on Sunday, and who’s up next on the Vikings’ TE depth chart?
T.J. Hockenson Injury Update
It’s unclear when Hockenson may have suffered an injury, but he is dealing with a ribs issue. He’s playing through pain, and the FOX broadcast mentioned that Hockenson is battling an injury.
Still, it hasn’t seemed to affect his performance thus far. Josh Dobbs targeted Hockenson three times on Minnesota’s second fourth-quarter drive. He hauled in two catches for 13 yards on that series.
Fellow TEs Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt are available behind Hockenson, but they’re primarily blockers.
The Vikings are already playing without several of their key offensive contributors. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and wideout Justin Jefferson are on injured reserve. Rookie quarterback Jaren Hall started today’s game but left with a concussion, forcing Dobbs to enter the contest.
Backup running back Cam Akers is Minnesota’s emergency QB behind Dobbs, but he’s already been ruled out with an ankle injury. And WR K.J. Osborn was sidelined after taking a massive hit earlier in today’s game.
What Would the Vikings’ Offense Look Like Without Hockenson?
The Vikings’ group of pass catchers continues to get thinner and thinner, with Hockenson suffering an injury in the second half of the team’s game against the Falcons.
With Jefferson still on IR and Osborn suffering an injury earlier in this contest, Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Oliver, and Mundt could all see extra work in the passing game should Hockenson miss time in the near future.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate
