T.J. Hockenson said this week that "I would expect things to go up" in terms of snaps moving forward. Certainly a possibility Sunday if Josh Oliver (ankle) can't play.

Seifert also noted that Hockenson's snap rate is down at 45.5% after hitting 79.5% last season. The tight end has a decent matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 12, making him a low-end TE1 option.

Vikings downgraded TE T.J. Hockenson to out for tonight’s game against the Rams. Hockenson’s return from a major knee injury 10 months ago now will wait.

Vikings officially will activate Hockenson on Friday and the plan is for him to play next week vs. the Colts, per source.

Related Players: Johnny Mundt

Just one more week until we can fire Hock back into lineups as a TE1.

The Vikings are officially listing TE T.J. Hockenson as questionable for tomorrow's game against the Rams.

Related Players: Johnny Mundt

It's a great sign for Hockenson and the Vikings offense, but exercise caution in his first game back. If he plays, it could very well be on a limited basis.

With the Vikings playing the Rams on Thursday night, it stands to reason that T.J. Hockenson will be activated this week. But head coach Kevin O’Connell did not commit to the tight end playing when asked about him and guard Dalton Risner — who is also returning from a back injury — on Monday.

“It’s early. We’ll make that determination kind of as these next couple of days [go by],” O’Connell said in his news conference. “As we put together game plans, we want to have a good feel for that. But, very much a possibility.”

The Vikings have been methodical in bringing back Hockenson from the torn ACL and MCL he suffered late last season. But his 21-day practice window is coming to a close, the story pointed out. Hock would be a nice boost for the Vikings and their offense. Even if he plays on Thursday, it would remain to be seen how much he's on the field and if he's on any kind of a pitch count, so it may be best to "wait-and-see" before putting him right in fantasy lineups for his first game back.

The Vikings downgraded TE T.J. (knee) to out for Sunday’s game against the Lions. Hockenson was limited at practice so the Vikings will wait one more week to activate him. He returned to practice October 4, meaning the Vikings will have to activate him by the end of next week or he will miss the rest of the season. In all likelihood, Hockenson will be activated next week and make his season debut in Week 8 against the Rams.

Vikings injury report vs Lions

OUT -- Blake Cashman, Akayleb Evans

QUESTIONABLE -- Aaron Jones, Dalton Risner, T.J. Hockenson, Pat Jones, Harrison Phillips

Related Players: Ty Chandler, C.J. Ham

Still nothing concrete yet, but Chandler would be a fringe RB2/3 if Jones ends up missing Week 7. Otherwise, it'll be Jones there, with Chandler not logging quite enough usage to be fantasy-relevant.

Vikings will open T.J. Hockenson’s PUP practice window on FRIDAY, per Kevin O’Connell. He’ll travel with the team to London and have his first practice there. Doesn’t seem to be a chance he will play vs. Jets but the process has begun.

Related Players: Josh Oliver

Hockenson is a fantastic stash anywhere he's not already rostered as he begins his return to an incredible Vikings passing attack. He will be a locked-in TE1 whenever he is able to return.

All opposing defenses magnetically float toward Justin Jefferson, regardless of who is on the field with him, dictating one-on-one opportunities for teammates. Having players who can win in those instances is partially why the Vikings traded for T.J. Hockenson and drafted Jordan Addison. It’s also why Sunday might serve as an inflection point for third-year receiver Jalen Nailor.

Kevin O'Connell was quoted in the story saying, "But I’m going to tell (Nailor) to prepare as if he’s going to be playing a lot more snaps and a lot more … early down snaps. Because that’s why he’s here.” Addison's status is uncertain for Week 2. We reported Monday he's dealing with significant soreness, so it's possible he can't go. But even if he can, he'll likely be limited, meaning Nailor could have a more significant role. With Hockenson already out, and if Addison can't go, teams will likely turn their attention to Jefferson, which mean Nailor could be poised for a lot of snaps and targets. He's a name to consider if you've already found yourself lacking at the WR position.

Minnesota is leaving TE T.J. Hockenson on the Physically Unable to Perform List.

Related players: Josh Oliver, Robert Tonyan, Johnny Mundt

Hockenson will miss the first four games of the season, but even after that it seems like a long shot Hock will be back for Week 5. The Vikings have a bye in Week 6, so a more realistic timetable, according to reports, is more likely to be sometime after the team's bye week.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell announces T.J. Hockenson will be placed on the PUP list to start training camp.

Related players: Josh Oliver, Robert Tonyan

This comes as no surprise. However the Vikings say Hock is well ahead of schedule at this point. Hockenson is likely to be eased back into action when he does return later in the season, and will also be dealing with another new QB at the helm. As we point out, Hockenson will be just 7 months and 10 days out from his injury at the Week 1 mark.