The Minnesota Vikings will be without one of their key offensive players for the rest of this season. With any luck, that won’t stretch into next season, either. Tight end T.J. Hockenson suffered a horrific injury this weekend. The Vikings announced that he tore both his ACL and MCL.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell informed fans and media members about Hockenson and his injury.
Minnesota posted, “Head Coach Kevin O’Connell announced that T.J. Hockenson suffered a season-ending ACL and MCL injury.” The Vikings announced the injury on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell announced that T.J. Hockenson suffered a season-ending ACL and MCL injury. pic.twitter.com/HbXgoZM7Br
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 26, 2023
This season, Hockenson’s been one of the most reliable targets in the NFL. Hockenson finished his season with 95 receptions on 127 targets, 960 yards, and five receiving touchdowns. Career-wise, Hockenson’s been a very productive tight end. He has 341 career receptions, 3,547 receiving yards, and 23 career receiving touchdowns.
It’s obviously a terribly unfortunate situation for both Hockenson and the Vikings. While Minnesota’s playoff hopes are likely up in smoke, they still stood something of a chance to sneak in potentially. But without Hockenson, that takes a big and reliable target out of the offense. Justin Jefferson can only do so much, even if that “so much” is a whole lot.
Such is life in the brutal world of the NFL, where injuries have been aplenty this year.
