Things just keep on hurting over there in Minnesota as tight end T.J. Hockenson is expected to be placed on the PUP list and will be forced to miss at least the first four games of the new season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The seven-year veteran is coming off a brutal ACL tear from just one season ago and although he’s reportedly looked good enough throughout camp, the Vikings are playing it safe.
Hockenson had just signed a new four-year, $63.5 million contract with Minnesota last season prior to suffering the ACL injury and was poised to easily clear the 1,000-yard mark –– finishing with 95 receptions, 960 yards and five touchdowns.
Considering the tight end suffered the injury in Week 16 of last season and it has been just eight months, it shouldn’t be too surprising to see him unable to suit up for at least the first month of the regular season. Nonetheless, Minnesota’s offense has taken a rather large hit in the last month or so also losing rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy to season-ending surgery. The Vikings’ first four opponents include Giants, 49ers, Texans and Packers, so it’s safe to say they will be missing that elite production that Hockenson provides from the tight end position.
Tight ends Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and possibly Robert Tonyan figure to soak up most of the targets and production that Hockenson would have provided for the offense. Considering the state of the QB room and the rest of the weapons, Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are the only meaningful DFS contributors at the beginning of the season.
Minnesota is currently -400 to miss the playoffs on DraftKings Sportsbook and certainly has its hands full in a highly competitive division with expected improved QB play. You can bet on Jefferson or Addison props –– if you think Jefferson can lead the league in receiving yards, bet here. He’s currently holds the fourth-highest odds to do so at +1000 yet has finished top four in every season besides last since entering the league.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
