TJ Hockenson of the Vikings will make his season debut on Sunday against the Colts

Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson will make his season debut in the team's Sunday Night Football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.

Hockenson missed the first eight weeks of the season as he recovered from a torn ACL and ACL in his right knee that he suffered in December 2023. The Vikings opened their practice window to return on October 4th.

HE IS BAAAAACK 😎@TheeHOCK8 pic.twitter.com/a3qxYIB9HW

– Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 1, 2024

The 27-year-old returns to a Minnesota squad that is 5-2 but has lost two straight games. With quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Aaron Jones and wide receiver Justin Jefferson leading the way, the team's offense ranks seventh in points per game (26.9). But the tight end position has produced just 21 receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns.

Hockenson was acquired from Minnesota in 2022 via an in-season trade with NFC North rival Detroit. Last season, he led the team in receptions (95) and targets (127), while finishing second in receiving yards (960) and touchdowns (five). Before his season-ending injury in Week 16, it was the best season of his career for the two-time Pro Bowler.

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How Hockenson's return impacts the Vikings' offense

Hockenson caught 95 passes last year. So there's no doubt that Hockenson could perform on his own. The real value here may lie across the board. For the first time in Kevin O'Connell's tenure as head coach of the Vikings, they will have a superstar wide receiver in Jefferson, a proven separator in Jordan Addison, a reliable pass-catching tight end in Hockenson and an elite running back in Jones . These weapons placed on the field at the same time should allow O'Connell and this Vikings offensive staff to be as efficient and explosive as they have been since 2022. Pass protection by a triaged offensive line (in the absence of Christian Darrisaw) and Darnold's decision-making will be responsible for making all of that happen be of utmost importance.

But Hockenson is a massive figure, capable of evading bigger, slower linebackers and setting up smaller defensive backs. He also caught 55 passes between the numbers last year, and the Vikings have only attempted 88 passes inside the numbers this year. More passes in the midfield and quicker passes could, as previously mentioned, improve the Vikings' offensive efficiency. — Alec Lewis

Required reading

(Photo: David Berding / Getty Images)