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Is TJ Hockenson Going to Play vs the Detroit Lions?

Originally posted on Minnesota Sports Fan
By Eric Strack | Last updated 10/17/24

The 5-0 Minnesota Vikings will play the 4-1 Detroit Lions on Sunday, in the most anticipated NFL matchup of week 7. There are plenty of injury questions, as we get closer to the weekend. One one of those injured players is tight end TJ Hockenson, who has been rehabbing from a brutal knee injury he suffered late last season

On Thursday, the Pro Bowler out of the University of Iowa met with media members to discuss his rehab and possible return off the PUP list this week. Had we not been fed reports for the last week saying Hockenson probably won’t play Sunday, you’d sure think he’s at least trying to suit up.

TJ Hockenson unsure about his status for Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions

He told reporters that he feels good, and that he’s “passed every test by miles”. He went on to say that the tracking device Vikings players wear during practice says that he’s running faster now than he ever has before.

When asked if he is going to play vs his old team, the Detroit Lions, Hockenson pumped the breaks, and said they are still taking things day by day.

.@TheeHOCK8 on his status for Sunday pic.twitter.com/7JtrHwfiMT
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 17, 2024

Reporter: Will you be playing on Sunday?

Hockenson:”Uh, yeah, I don’t know. It just kind of depends, it all depends day-to-day, of what we’re kind of doing. My window is open so just playing it by ear each day. You know, as long as I’m feeling good and rolling, we’ll just keep it there…”
TJ Hockenson on whether or not he will play vs the Lions

It has already been reported by just about every single Minnesota Vikings insider in town that TJ Hockenson is unlikely to play vs the Lions. The most optimistic projections point to next Thursday, as his most likely return date, if it is going to happen prior to his 21-day practice window ending, which is next Friday, October 25.

At that point the Vikings will be forced to activate Hockenson, or put him on season-ending IR, which seems very unlikely, at this point. If TJ somehow were not to be activated before next Thursday, his likely return would be Sunday, November 3 vs the Indianapolis Colts.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.

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