The Minnesota Vikings will face the Los Angeles Rams on Wild Card Weekend. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, especially regarding TE T.J. Hockenson.
Is T.J. Hockenson Playing vs. the Rams?
Hockenson does not have an injury designation heading into the game this weekend. Barring any setbacks, he is on track to play vs. the Rams.
We’ll continue to monitor the Vikings’ injury report. You can also visit and bookmark our NFL Injury Tracker and Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit T.J. Hockenson on Wild Card Weekend?
With each passing week, my finger gets a little more itchy to take an aggressive approach on positive T.J. Hockenson props. I haven’t yet pulled the trigger in a major way, but the time might be here.
Hockenson’s participation progression, 2024:
- Weeks 1-8: DNP
- Weeks 9-11: 45.5% snap share
- Weeks 12-15: 64.2% snap share
- Weeks 16-18: 71.6% snap share
The Johnny Mundt/Josh Oliver contingent caught three of four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown when these teams first met, a game that took place before Hockenson was cleared to return. It’s very possible he soaks up that usage and then some against a defense that ranked 31st in yards allowed per attempt via the short pass.
Those targets aren’t always exciting, but I expect them to be wide open as the Rams (28th in opponent deep passer rating) allocate resources to slow down the quick strike duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Sam Darnold wasn’t shy about pushing the envelope in that Week 8 meeting (10.4 aDOT, his second-highest of the season), and with Los Angeles able to escape with a victory, I’m willing to wager that they are game-planning to get the ball out of his hands much quicker this time around.
Sportsbooks are under no pressure to post prop lines for the final game of the week with any urgency. Yet, when they do, I’ll be looking at the prices on Hockenson to clear 3.5 and 4.5 catches.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Wild Card Weekend Fantasy Start-Sit Advice Cheat Sheet for every fantasy-relevant player in every game.
T.J. Hockenson’s Fantasy Points Projection on Wild Card Weekend
As of Saturday, Hockenson is projected to score 20.6 fantasy points in PPR formats. This includes 8.9 receptions for 88.8 yards and 0.5 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
T.J. Hockenson’s Fantasy Ranking
Our Weekly Consensus PPR Rankings are below — both positional and overall. They were last updated at 8:30 AM ET on Sunday, January 12. If you're in a Superflex league, make sure you check out our Wild Card Superflex Rankings.
Wild Card TE PPR Rankings
1) Mark Andrews | BAL (vs. PIT)
2) T.J. Hockenson | MIN (at LAR)
3) Zach Ertz | WAS (at TB)
4) Pat Freiermuth | PIT (at BAL)
5) Dalton Kincaid | BUF (vs. DEN)
6) Tucker Kraft | GB (at PHI)
7) Dallas Goedert | PHI (vs. GB)
8) Isaiah Likely | BAL (vs. PIT)
9) Will Dissly | LAC (at HOU)
10) Tyler Higbee | LAR (vs. MIN)
11) Dalton Schultz | HOU (vs. LAC)
12) Payne Durham | TB (vs. WAS)
13) Dawson Knox | BUF (vs. DEN)
14) Cade Otton | TB (vs. WAS)
15) Stone Smartt | LAC (at HOU)
16) Grant Calcaterra | PHI (vs. GB)
17) Luke Musgrave | GB (at PHI)
18) Darnell Washington | PIT (at BAL)
19) Josh Oliver | MIN (at LAR)
20) Lucas Krull | DEN (at BUF)
21) Cade Stover | HOU (vs. LAC)
22) Hayden Hurst | LAC (at HOU)
23) Nate Adkins | DEN (at BUF)
24) Colby Parkinson | LAR (vs. MIN)
25) Devin Culp | TB (vs. WAS)
26) John Bates | WAS (at TB)
27) Adam Trautman | DEN (at BUF)
28) Tucker Fisk | LAC (at HOU)
29) Davis Allen | LAR (vs. MIN)
30) Ben Sinnott | WAS (at TB)
31) MyCole Pruitt | PIT (at BAL)
32) Ko Kieft | TB (vs. WAS)
33) E.J. Jenkins | PHI (vs. GB)
34) Johnny Mundt | MIN (at LAR)
35) Connor Heyward | PIT (at BAL)