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 MCL in his right knee, which he suffered in December 2023. The Vikings opened his practice window to return on Oct. 4.

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

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 1, 2024

The 27-year-old returns to a Minnesota team that is 5-2 but has lost two games in a row. 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 by Minnesota in 2022 in 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 a career-best season for the two-time Pro Bowler.

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How Hockenson’s return affects the Vikings’ offense

Hockenson caught 95 passes last year. So there’s no doubt about Hockenson’s potential production on his own. The real value here may be 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. Jones. These weapons, being 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. Darnold’s decision-making will be key to making it all happen.

But Hockenson is a huge piece, able to get around bigger and slower linebackers, and set up smaller defensive backs. He also caught 55 passes between the digits last year, and the Vikings have attempted just 88 passes within the digits this year. More passing in the middle of the field and faster passing could, as mentioned, improve the Vikings’ offensive efficiency. — Alec Lewis

Required reading

(Photo: David Berding/Getty Images)