UPDATE: On Saturday, Hockenson (knee) was downgraded to out for Sunday’s game vs. the Lions, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The undefeated Vikings are coming back from their bye week and have a huge divisional game this week against the Lions. They are close to getting another option back in their passing game, although it’s still uncertain if T.J. Hockenson ($5,200; knee) will make his return on Sunday against his former team or wait until next week. Hockenson was officially listed as questionable, but he’ll need to be activated by Saturday from the reserve/PUP list if he’s going to make his season debut in Week 7.
According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN in a tweet on Thursday, Hockenson said he has “passed every test by a mile” from a medical standpoint. Hockenson has said he’s fully recovered and running better and faster than ever, but it’s still not totally clear when he’ll be ready to return to the field. Seifert said that the likeliest targets are next week in LA or the week following vs. the Colts. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport also indicated that next week’s matchup with the Rams is a “better target for his return.”
Whenever he gets back on the field, he’ll be a great addition to a Vikings’ offense that is already humming under Sam Darnold ($6,200) at QB. If someone in your season-long league hasn’t already scooped him off waivers or stashed him all season, Hockenson is an excellent stash.
I wouldn’t start him this week unless you have no other options since even if he is active, he’ll likely be limited. His return is definitely coming soon, though, and it looks like he’ll be ready to tear up the league when he’s back to full strength.
While Hockenson has been out, Johnny Mundt ($2,800) has been the team’s receiving tight end but has only averaged 4.5 fantasy points per week.
The Vikings are 1.5-point home favorites against the surging Lions with the over/under set at 50.5 points.
Stay tuned to DK Network for more updates on Hockenson’s situation leading up to kickoff this Sunday and next week’s Thursday night matchup with the Rams.
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