https://www.inforum.com/sports/pro/vikings-tight-end-t-j-hockenson-battling-illness-which-explains-his-recent-absence
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson battling illness, which explains his recent absence
It has nothing to do with the fact that he hasn’t received a contract extension.
Minnesota
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (center) stretches during the team’s
practice at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan,
Minnesota, on July 26, 2023.
EAGAN, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson made
some headlines after sitting out of team drills during last week’s
night practice at TCO Performance Center. The rumors started to swirl
over the weekend after he was spotted on the sidelines without pads.
Was
the 26-year-old Hockenson upset about not yet receiving a contract
extension? Was that the reason he wasn’t practicing? Was he trying to
make a statement?
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Not at all.
Talking to reporters before practice on Monday afternoon, head coach
Kevin O’Connell poured water on those flames, noting that Hockenson has
been battling an illness.
“He’s working his way back from that,” the coach said. “He will take part in the early part of practice (today).”
It’s
worth noting that Hockenson is set to make $9.3 million this season,
with nothing guaranteed beyond that at the moment. But after acquiring
Hockenson from the Detroit Lions last season, the Vikings likely will
work something out with him at some point.
Aside from Hockenson, who should be back sooner rather than
later, O’Connell said cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. will be a full
participant in practice going forward. He sat out practice toward the
end of last week after suffering a minor injury.
Harry looking to shine
After signing with the Vikings over the weekend, receiver N’Keal Harry was at Monday’s practice.
He
wore a No. 85 jersey and looked the part with his massive 6-foot-4,
225-pound frame standing out among the other receivers on the roster.
That
advantage vertically is something Harry, who the New England Patriots
selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL draft, hopes to use as a way
to stick on this roster.
“I feel like this is a great opportunity
to come out here and show what I can do,” he said. “I’m a big body
who’s going to go up and get the ball when it’s in the air. I’m a
red-zone guy who’s hard to bring (the ball) down. Just a big physical
guy.”
Asked if he feels behind everyone else after joining the
Vikings a couple of weeks into training camp, Harry emphasized that he’s
learning the playbook as quickly as possible.
“I’m capable of picking it up,” he said. “It’s up to me to put some extra time in.”