On Christmas Eve, the Minnesota Vikings suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Detroit Lions, but it wasn’t the biggest setback of the day.
Outside linebacker DJ Wonnum exited the field on a cart with a partially torn quad muscle, likely ending Minnesota’s season as its second-best edge defender. Undoubtedly the finest player in the NFL at his position, tight end TJ Hockenson, suffered a knee injury on Sunday. This might be even worse news.
In light of the fact that the team’s playoff aspirations are on the line over the final two weeks of the season, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN stated on Monday, December 25, that Minnesota is praying for the best but fears the worse about Hockenson’s knee.
“Initial outlook is ‘not good’ on #Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson’s knee injury, per source,” Fowler posted to X Monday. “Team hoping to be surprised by today’s MRI but bracing for damage. Hockenson put together another Pro Bowl-type season with 95 catches for 960 yards and five TDs.”
Based on 86 receptions for 914 yards and six touchdowns in just 17 games during his fourth season in the NFL, Hockenson was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second time in 2022, according to Pro Football Reference.
Through 15 games this season, the tight end has surpassed that total in both catches and yards. According to StatMuse, Hockenson has 960 receiving yards as of Monday, which puts him atop the NFL among tight ends. But in the Kansas City Chiefs’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Christmas Day, Travis Kelce of the team can overtake him with a 37-yard gain.
With 95 catches, Hockenson is second in the league among tight ends, only surpassed by Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Evan Engram, who has 98 grabs in 2023.
Just before the regular season began, the Vikings inked Hockenson to a record-breaking four-year contract worth $66 million plus incentives. Even though he played over half the season without starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, he has more than lived up to that contract.If Hockenson is lost, it will be a huge blow to Minnesota’s prospects of making the playoffs. The team still has to win both of its remaining games against the Lions and the Green Bay Packers to secure a spot in the NFC Wildcard.
Moreover, standout rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison may not be able to assist Minnesota in one or both of its final regular-season games. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Addison sprained his ankle against the Lions on Sunday, casting question on his availability.
According to a source, Jordan Addison’s ankle sprain is classified week-to-week, and more testing is expected today, according to a Monday report from Rapoport.
Through 15 games this season, Addison has caught 63 catches for 826 yards and 9 touchdowns.
