The Minnesota Vikings’ high-paid star is expected to sit out several games, leading to a significant drop in his performance.
The Minnesota Vikings have the potential to field one of the NFL’s top offenses next season, but this hinges on two key factors.
Firstly, they will need strong quarterback play from either Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, or a combination of both. This remains uncertain and could vary from week to week. The second factor is the health of their roster, particularly their skill position players who struggled with injuries last year and may continue to do so in 2024.
Justin Jefferson missed seven games due to a hamstring strain, while Aaron Jones, their new running back, missed six games in 2023 due to various injuries. Both players returned before the end of the season, but tight end T.J. Hockenson did not fare as well. Hockenson suffered a knee injury in Week 16 that required surgery, potentially impacting his ability to start the season as the Vikings’ tight end.
Kris Knox of Bleacher Report predicts that Hockenson will start only 12 games in the upcoming season, leading to a drop in his production. Despite playing alongside Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Hockenson will also be catching passes from either Darnold or McCarthy, with the addition of Jones possibly reducing the team’s reliance on passing.
Although Hockenson is expected to return this season, there is a chance he may miss the first few weeks. Knox’s projections suggest Hockenson could still have a respectable season, but it may fall short of the Pro Bowl-caliber performance the Vikings hoped for when they signed him to a four-year, $66 million contract last August.
There is some good news, though, as Hockenson is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, which could potentially shorten his time on the sidelines.
