Should We Be Concerned About T.J. Hockenson?

T.J. Hockenson's rehab, for all we have been told, is going according to schedule. So why have the Minnesota Vikings signed two tight ends in the last ten days? Plus, playing catchup with Minnesota Vikings rookie minicamp and the NFL Schedule release, as well as Dallas Gant's journey to a tenuous opportunity.
WANT MORE DAILY MINNESOTA VIKINGS CONTENT?
Join me on Patreon! / lukebraunnfl
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 link.chtbl.com...
Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More
🎧 linktr.ee/Lock...
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Yahoo Finance
For comprehensive financial news and analysis, visit the brand behind every great investor. Yahoofinance.com
eBay Motors
For parts that fit, head to eBay Motors and look for the green check. Stay in the game with eBay Guaranteed Fit at eBayMotors.com. Let’s ride. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply.
FanDuel
FanDuel, America’s Number One Sportsbook. Right now, NEW customers get ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning GUARANTEED That’s A HUNDRED AND FIFTY BUCKS - with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow the show: @LockedOnVikings
Follow the host: @LukeBraunNFL
Join the discord community: linktr.ee/Luke...
Submit Twitter Tuesday questions: docs.google.co...
Sub on KZbin! / @lockedonvikings

[@pauld6222]

T.J has very quickly became one of my favorite Vikings. I really hope his injury dont affect his career. He is so good coming off the line and getting open.

[@drbenway4]

Tonyon signed with Lions as rookie. Was on practice squaud. Then signed by Packers and played a few years. Played all of last season with Bears.

[@scottmielke4071]

1. TJ Hockenson is doing weighted front squats. He's in the squat rack putting good load on his knee as of late MARCH. 2 months ago he was working out pretty hard. we have more than 3 months until the regular season. I'm sure they are playing it extremely carefully but if he's already in the squat rack post knee injury, he'll be there this season and quite early. 2. We need camp bodies just to make sure people don't get overworked AND you go into training camp with 90 anyways, if you have the space may as well bring someone in just in case you find a diamond in the rough.

[@LockedOnVikings]

so perhaps counterintuitively, weightlifting is a pretty early step. He'll obviously lift throughout but for regular patient timelines you start lifting and building strength just 4-6 weeks after the surgery. So late March is right on track www.emoryhealthcare.org/centers-programs/acl-program/recovery/post-op-weeks-4-6

[@phaetonevl]

luke the MAC is the Mid-American Conference. the midweek saviors of november football deserve the respect of knowing their name

[@LockedOnVikings]

I profusely apologize

[@corey375]

Sammie Reyes was signed through the International Pathway Program, so he's a project and most likely headed to the practice squad. Tonyan had 11 catches with the Bears last year and was not exactly a hot commodity in the free agent market. The only way Hockenson's status affects either is that if Hockenson misses games at the start of the season, Tonyan might make the team as the TE4.

[@robe2504]

I really don't see JJ playing much, if at all, this season. Why would we? He has all year to progress. I'd love Darnold to beat both the 49ers and Jets. That would make everyone re-set their views on the Vikes.

[@LockedOnVikings]

That'd be perfectly acceptable to me. If he's ready he's ready though, no sense holding him out once he's actually a better QB than Darnold

[@robe2504]

@@LockedOnVikings Agreed. The question is whether he will be a better QB than Darnold. Everything folks say to describe JJ also seems to be true of Darnold - strong arm, agile in the pocket, underrated runner, needs to work on his touch - will benefit from the strong Vikes roster, solid O Line and KOC's coaching and play calling...

[@terrypitt3743]

McCarthy needs to set the season!

[@Selling-McCarthyism]

We only have 68M in cap space in 2025. Top players AAV once extended. Hockenson - 18M O’Neill - 20M Darrisaw - 25M Jefferson - 35M Assuming they rework O’Neill’s contract, we’ll have about 45M in 2025. How many stars can we get on the DL in free agency?

[@stevencass8849]

We only need one star to solidify the line.

[@ryanlivdahl5567]

Tbh its probably better to get dl in the draft and then after that pay an actual left guard.

[@LockedOnVikings]

Those are AAVs but may not be their actual cap hits, so if they feel they need to they can have a lot more cap space than that

[@robe2504]

Remember they started with only about $30m in cap space this season and managed to sign about 8 guys and wear over $40m in dead cap hits for Hunter and Kirk, so I wouldn't worry too much at this stage. According to OTC the Vikes currently have the 5th most cap space in 2025 with 54 players signed, which is 10-20 more players than all 4 teams ahead of them, and more players signed than 17 of the 27 teams with less cap space.

[@Selling-McCarthyism]

@@robe2504 that’s an interesting and good point. Essentially they have the 10th most filled roster and top 5 cap space.

[@stevencass8849]

I would bet TJ doesn’t end up on the PUP to start the season; rather I think he goes to the IR with the intention to bring him back after eight weeks. You don’t want to hurry this, as it can cause other problems- like an Achilles or hamstring injuries. Give it time, and make sure he is ready to come back in.