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.

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.

Former Bears and Packers TE Robert Tonyan signed with the Vikings.

Related Players: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt

Good move by Minnesota to solidify their pass-catching tight ends while Hockenson works his way back to the field. Tonyan had a down year behind Cole Kmet last season but should be able to rotate in toward the beginning of the year with Oliver and Mundt.

T.J Hockenson is definitely still affected by his rib/oblique injury but says he is pretty sure he’ll play Sunday. “That’s the plan,” he said.

Related Players: Johnny Mundt, Josh Oliver

Mundt and Oliver have combined for 15 receptions this year, though Oliver would be the more likely option to take over pass-catching duties if Hockenson misses. Regardless, he shouldn't be in fantasy consideration for typical redraft leagues.

T.J. Hockenson missed the majority of camp drills during the previous three weeks because of an ear infection that he said affected his equilibrium. That condition has resolved itself, coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday, but Hockenson "very recently" reported his back symptoms to the Vikings' medical staff. O'Connell classified Hockenson's absence as "day-to-day," and did not rule out a return to the field as early as Thursday's joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals, but such a quick return seems unlikely.

Related Players: Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt

The article goes on to mention that these ailments could have something to do with the fact that Hockenson is still on his rookie deal and there has been "little progress in talks". If that's the case, we shouldn't push the TE any further down draft boards than he is currently going, as the threat of an actual holdout seems unlikely. If he's back on the field during joint practices on Thursday, this will ultimately feel like an overreaction.

Smith underwent surgery on his thumb earlier this offseason, but head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters today that he may avoid missing any time during the regular season.

Related Players: Johnny Mundt, K.J. Osborn

This comes as a relief for fantasy players who miss out on the top-tier of tight ends. All we need is one less option at our disposal in the double-digit rounds. If Irv Smith Jr. is healthy from the start, he makes for an interesting post-hype breakout candidate after he was forced to miss most of the 2021 season due to a torn meniscus. Former Viking Tyler Conklin was able to turn in a TE16 finish on what we presume was a much more run-heavy offense than what the 2022 Minnesota Vikings offense will look like.