TJH to return to practice!
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said T.J. Hockenson will travel with the team to London and will practice on Friday, opening the tight end’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve.
“Twenty-one days from Friday gives us the bye week and two games with us playing on Thursday the second week after the bye,” O’Connell said today. “That gives us the flexibility at 20 days to have him ready to go.
We’ll see where he’s at for the Lions game and then we have the flexibility for the following game” against the Rams on Oct. 24.
Hockenson tore the ACL in his right knee against the Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on Dec. 24. He did not have surgery until Jan. 29 so that damage to his MCL, which did not require repair, could heal. If he plays against the Lions or Rams, he will have made it back to the field in 10 months.
“He’s done a great job; he feels great,” O’Connell said. “But we got to get him acclimated back to football. That’s kind of the plan. It’s going to be great to have him back on the grass with the guys. Looking forward to it.”
Source: StarTribune
The #Vikings are getting closer to seeing the return of tight end T.J. Hockenson, as head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team will open his window for returning from the PUP List on Friday. What does that mean? We’ll explain. #NFL #Skolhttps://t.co/gXr6ZGyVCR
— The Daily Norseman (@DailyNorseman) October 2, 2024
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Kentis wrote:
Short week after the Lions, so probable return against the Rams, I would guess…
We have a bye after London before the Lions game. I think he'll want to suit up for that one.
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
Kentis wrote:
& then play on a Thursday night game? He probably wants to, but it seems unlikely to me…
4 days is too little time.
I would rather wait till TNF vs Rams if I had to choose...
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Kentis wrote:
& then play on a Thursday night game? Seems unlikely to me…
You might be right, but if he's ready, he's ready. I just think he'll want to be on the field for the Kerby Joseph pain party hosted by Darrisaw and Brandel. :)
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
That explains the delay in the ACL repair. The MCL damage, which was not serious enough to require surgery, had to heal BEFORE he could have ACL repair surgery. That a-hole with the Lions trashed two players knees in two consecutive weeks last year, right?
Please God, just one Lombardi before I die.
I'd rather wait for the Rams, but KOC may have to strap Hock to a gurney to keep him out for Detroit. I'm sure he wants those guys bad.
T.J. Hockenson returns to Vikings practice in ‘phenomenal physical shape’
WATFORD, England — T.J. Hockenson got his first practice work of the season on Friday after the Vikings opened his 21-day window to practice before his possible return from injured reserve. Hockenson, who tore the ACL in his right knee on Dec. 24, was limited in his first practice back. He was declared out for Sunday’s game against the Jets, but could play his first game later this month.
“He looked great,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He got some reps here and there, just working through being back out there. A lot of the guys excited to see him. He looks like he’s in phenomenal physical shape, which is to be expected, after what’s been a long period of time where he’s just focused on one day at a time.”
At the beginning of his rehab, Hockenson said Thursday, he’d told the Vikings’ athletic training staff, “I’m going to do everything times two of what you’re going to tell me to do. You’re going to have to put the reins on me and pull me back.”
With time to focus purely on his physical shape before he could practice, the tight end “has gotten a lot stronger,” O’Connell said. “He’s running really well. So it’s going to be an exciting time here over these next few days to keep getting him work, and when we can get him back out there, it will be a huge lift to our offense.”
Hockenson was the only player with an injury designation for Sunday’s game; the Vikings will get linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. back from the ankle injury that’s kept him out the past two weeks. As they’ve done in recent weeks, the Vikings gave veteran defensive backs Harrison Smith and Stephon Gilmore a rest day during their full practice in London. The team will hold a walk-through on Saturday before Sunday’s game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Source: Startribune
purplefaithful wrote:
T.J. Hockenson returns to Vikings practice in ‘phenomenal physical shape’WATFORD, England — T.J. Hockenson got his first practice work of the season on Friday after the Vikings opened his 21-day window to practice before his possible return from injured reserve. Hockenson, who tore the ACL in his right knee on Dec. 24, was limited in his first practice back. He was declared out for Sunday’s game against the Jets, but could play his first game later this month.
“He looked great,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “He got some reps here and there, just working through being back out there. A lot of the guys excited to see him. He looks like he’s in phenomenal physical shape, which is to be expected, after what’s been a long period of time where he’s just focused on one day at a time.”
At the beginning of his rehab, Hockenson said Thursday, he’d told the Vikings’ athletic training staff, “I’m going to do everything times two of what you’re going to tell me to do. You’re going to have to put the reins on me and pull me back.”
With time to focus purely on his physical shape before he could practice, the tight end “has gotten a lot stronger,” O’Connell said. “He’s running really well. So it’s going to be an exciting time here over these next few days to keep getting him work, and when we can get him back out there, it will be a huge lift to our offense.”
Hockenson was the only player with an injury designation for Sunday’s game; the Vikings will get linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. back from the ankle injury that’s kept him out the past two weeks. As they’ve done in recent weeks, the Vikings gave veteran defensive backs Harrison Smith and Stephon Gilmore a rest day during their full practice in London. The team will hold a walk-through on Saturday before Sunday’s game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Source: Startribune
Fingers crossed!
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Curious why the Vikings would even bring TJ to London if he's not playing. It it a team culture thing? I can't think of another reason.
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
MaroonBells wrote:
Curious why the Vikings would even bring TJ to London if he's not playing. It it a team culture thing? I can't think of another reason.
I would guess culture and he wanted to go and experience it with his team.
Poor JJM is probably on a scooter still and I doubt will be making the trip. That would suck for him.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
It'll be great to see HOC a part of the gameplan again in a few weeks. His arms look bigger, he must have hit the weights in rehab as well:
https://www.reddit.com/r/minnesotavikings/comments/1fw1b1f/tj_hockenson/
None of the tendencies on film from the last 2 years are gonna be relevant.
TJ can stress opposing defenses in ways Oliver and Mundt don't
The improvement in this offense over the next few weeks will be obvious, they're gonna start blowing teams out.
IMO TJ is gonna set that off
Mattyman wrote:
None of the tendencies on film from the last 2 years are gonna be relevant.TJ can stress opposing defenses in ways Oliver and Mundt don't
The improvement in this offense over the next few weeks will be obvious, they're gonna start blowing teams out.
IMO TJ is gonna set that off
Start? The Vikings have already blown out some pretty good teams. Blew out the Giants, who are actually better than people think. Vikings were fixin' to go up on the 49ers 27-7, when Jones fumbled on the half yard line. Blew out the Texans 34-7.
But I agree that Hock adds a dimension to this offense it doesn't currently have. The TEs we currently have just run their routes, but Hockenson really knows how to get open.
"All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand." —Steven Wright
Mattyman wrote:
None of the tendencies on film from the last 2 years are gonna be relevant.
TJ can stress opposing defenses in ways Oliver and Mundt don't
The improvement in this offense over the next few weeks will be obvious, they're gonna start blowing teams out.
IMO TJ is gonna set that off
Vikings have had the best point differential in the NFL all year long.
Rumor is TJ won't play Sunday but will play against the Rams.
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