The Minnesota Vikings are set to begin the 2024 season without star tight end T.J. Hockenson in the fold. He suffered a torn ACL against the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve and had to wait until the end of January to end up having surgery due to damage the MCL suffered.
After he suffered the injury, Hockenson was replaced by tight end Johnny Mundt while Josh Oliver kept his role as TE2 or the blocking tight end. Mundt was good in the role that Hockenson played and had a rapport with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Going into the 2024 season, there are a lot of questions about Hockenson's health and when he might play in 2024.
When will T.J. Hockenson play for the Vikings?
The normal process for a return from ACL surgery is approximately nine months, which would put his return around Halloween. Last season, week eight concluded right before Halloween, which would mean Hockenson would start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and miss around half the season at minimum.
When will he return? The Athletic's Alec Lewis had this to say about his rehab.
Hockenson is ahead of schedule in his rehab, but the Vikings are committed to ensuring he is fully healthy before he plays. Last year’s contract cemented the team’s belief that he is one of its cornerstone players. You don’t rush a player like that back from an injury this severe
That's a good sign, but the tidbit about Hockenson being fully healthy before he plays is key here. Will they be willing to try and get him back sooner rather than later? That is a big question moving forward. Next season isn't what I would call a "lost season" for the Vikings, but it's clear they are looking toward the 2025 season to make a run.
Because of the nature of the injury and how it can take upward of two years to fully return to form, it might be in the Vikings' best interest to keep Hockenson from seeing the field in 2024 and having him return in 2025.. The earliest he could theoretically return in week eight or nine around Halloween.
