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Rising T.J. Hockenson An Option Against Buffalo
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson can be considered a starting option when his team plays the Week 9 finale against the Buffalo Bills. While the numbers for most of the Minnesota offense have been ghastly, the former Iowa Hawkeye has produced fairly consistently this season. Hockenson has ranked inside the top 10 among PPR tight ends in three of the past four games, and the only misfire was the result of a first-quarter concussion that forced him out of the game. Minnesota is making a change at quarterback now that Kyler Murray (hamstring) has been ruled out, turning to backup Carson Wentz. That shouldn't change the outlook for the tight end, who caught a touchdown from Wentz in Week 1 and saw at least five targets from him in four of the journeyman's five starts last season. As RotoBaller's No. 10 tight end this week, Hockenson is playable in all formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
T.J. Hockenson Provides Steady Production in Vikings' Loss
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson collected four of five targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 19-15 road loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions. Hockenson picked up his third outing of four catches and a receiving score on five targets in Week 8, and has been a decent play over the last month or so, sans a win over New Orleans, when he left with a concussion after just two snaps. Even with the suboptimal effort, the eighth-year pro is the PPR TE5 in points per game (14) since Week 4. Furthermore, he's handily led the team in receiving over that stretch, and sits atop the Vikings' pass-catchers with eight red zone looks on the season as a whole. Hockenson may not boast the upside he did earlier in his career, but he still holds some value as a fringy back-end TE1 play with steady opportunity as an outlet for Kyler Murray. He'll look to keep it rolling next Monday night against the visiting Buffalo Bills in what projects to be a favorable outing.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
T.J. Hockenson Deserves Lineup Consideration Against Lions
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is a fringe TE1 when his team travels to Detroit to play the Lions in Week 8. The former Lions first-round pick has drawn 19 targets from Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray in their past nine quarters together, a pairing that suggests the tight end is the offense's No. 2 fantasy option behind receiver Justin Jefferson. Murray seems to trust Hockenson in key spots, which included a goal-line target that became the decisive touchdown in the Vikings' Week 7 victory against Indianapolis. Now, the pair will take on a Lions defense that ranks 32nd against PPR tight ends, has allowed more air yards than any other team, ranks tied for last in passing first downs allowed, and sits 31st in passing touchdowns surrendered. Minnesota's offense certainly hasn't inspired this season, but as RotoBaller's No. 13 tight end this week, Hockenson can be a lineup option against his former team.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
T.J. Hockenson Emerging as a Potential Tight End Solution
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was one of the few players on his team's offense to have a productive game in Week 7, recording four catches for 35 yards and a touchdown on five targets. The 29-year-old's overall numbers in 2026 don't leap off the page, as he's hauled in 27 receptions for 237 yards and two touchdowns on 32 targets across six games. However, Hockenson appears to be emerging as a favorite target of Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray. In the two games where both Hockenson and Murray have started and finished the contest on the field, Hockenson has logged 17 catches for 154 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets. The veteran tight end also has an extremely favorable matchup on paper in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions. For fantasy managers in need of tight end help, Hockenson profiles as a viable waiver wire solution.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
T.J. Hockenson a Viable Streamer After Clearing Concussion Protocol
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson used last week's bye to clear concussion protocol, and he will get back on the fantasy radar as a streaming option for Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. Hockenson has posted mixed results so far this year; he has at least 13.6 PPR points in two of his five games, but fewer than 6.0 PPR points in each of the other three. The veteran tight end did handle very encouraging 83% and 85% snap shares in the two weeks prior to suffering his concussion, so perhaps he'll maintain a workload large enough to contribute as a top-12 option on Sunday afternoon. In fact, Hockenson ranks as RotoBaller's TE12 in the latest Week 7 fantasy rankings, which makes him a very intriguing option in leagues where he's still on waivers. As it stands, Hockenson is available to be added in 49% of leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Starting Potential For T.J. Hockenson In Week 7
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is a fringe TE1 when the Indianapolis Colts visit U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 7. The former Iowa star looked to be developing a legitimate chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray, who targeted him 13 times in their most recent full game together. Unfortunately for managers who started the tight end in Week 5, a first-quarter concussion stalled the momentum. Now through concussion protocol and off the injury report, Hockenson's volume is something of a mystery because the Vikings' full complement of skill players have played less than a full quarter together so far this season. Receiver Justin Jefferson remains the club's top option every time he plays, though Hockenson appears to already have Murray's trust on key downs and as an underneath option, which warrants fantasy consideration. Hockenson is RotoBaller's No. 13 tight end this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
T.J. Hockenson Clears Concussion Protocol for Week 7
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and carries no injury designation for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Hockenson practiced in full Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday following Minnesota's Week 6 bye. The veteran tight end has caught 23 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown through five games, although his production has varied considerably. He recorded 13 catches for 119 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4 with Justin Jefferson sidelined, then managed just one reception for seven yards when Jefferson returned against the New Orleans Saints. Hockenson remains a borderline TE1 option with Minnesota's primary receivers available.
Source: Alec Lewis
Source: Alec Lewis
T.J. Hockenson Expected to Practice on Wednesday
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that tight end T.J. Hockenson (concussion) is expected to practice on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis. Hockenson entered the league's concussion protocol after injuring his head in the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints, but with the benefit of the Week 6 bye, the 29-year-old is back at practice and could have a good shot at playing this weekend against the visiting Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. Fantasy managers looking to stream Hockenson in a favorable matchup need to keep a close eye on his status through Friday to see if he can clear the league's concussion protocol before the weekend. It is a good sign that he is practicing on Wednesday. Hockenson only had one catch for seven yards in Week 5 because of his head injury, but he caught all 13 of his targets for 119 yards in the Week 4 win over the Miami Dolphins when receiver Justin Jefferson sat out with an injury. The two-time Pro Bowler has 23 catches on 27 targets for 202 yards and one touchdown in his first five games this year.
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
Source: The Athletic - Alec Lewis
T.J. Hockenson Ruled Out With Concussion
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, the team announced. Hockenson headed to the locker room earlier in the contest and was evaluated for a concussion before Minnesota downgraded his status to out. He entered Sunday coming off a 13-catch, 119-yard performance against Miami last week.
Source: Minnesota Vikings
Source: Minnesota Vikings
T.J. Hockenson Being Evaluated for Concussion
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is being evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. Hockenson headed to the locker room earlier in the game, with Minnesota subsequently announcing the concussion evaluation. There was no immediate word on whether he would return. The veteran is coming off a 13-catch, 119-yard performance against Miami last week, matching his career high in receptions.
Source: Kevin Seifert
Source: Kevin Seifert
T.J. Hockenson Heads to Locker Room Against Saints
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson headed to the locker room during Sunday's Week 5 game against the New Orleans Saints, according to Nick Underhill. It's unclear what prompted his departure, and no injury or return designation was included in the initial report. Hockenson is coming off a career-high-tying 13-catch performance against Miami last week, when he hauled in all 13 targets for 119 yards.
Source: Nick Underhill
Source: Nick Underhill
T.J. Hockenson On Starting Radar After Breakout Week
The offensive high points have been few and far between for the Minnesota Vikings so far this season, but tight end T.J. Hockenson establishing a rapport with quarterback Kyler Murray brings new hope heading into Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran tight end drew a whopping 13 targets and caught all of them for 119 yards last week, which made him TE1 even without the would-have-been touchdown that he sacrificed to clinch the game. Now, Hockenson takes on a Saints defense that ranks 27th against half-PPR tight ends while receivers Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Jordan Addison (hamstring) are questionable to play. While Hockenson could go back to being the third option in this offense if both receivers play, the fact that he has Murray's trust in key situations counts for something. Hockenson is RotoBaller's No. 12 tight end for Week 5, putting him in starting range in most leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
T.J. Hockenson Could Stay Busy With Teammate Injured
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had a monster game in Week 4, hauling in all 13 targets for 119 yards in the 15-10 win over the Miami Dolphins. With star receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) out, Hockenson led the team in targets and played 83% of snaps. Despite a slow start, hauling in just nine passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in the first three games, Hockenson operated as the lead receiver and showed strong chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray. With Minnesota on bye in Week 6, the Vikings could be cautious with Jefferson if he isn't fully recovered from his ankle sprain. Even if Jefferson is active, Hockenson should be a viable option against a struggling New Orleans Saints defense in Week 5.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Wayward Vikings Offense Limits Potential For T.J. Hockenson
The past few weeks have been a major struggle for the Minnesota Vikings offense, which dims the outlook for T.J. Hockenson ahead of a Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Currently, Minnesota ranks dead last in the NFL in total yards, passing first downs, and net yards per attempt, which makes the whole passing operation difficult to trust. Hockenson could see an uptick in usage now that star receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) will miss the game, though the same circumstances didn't amount to much last week in Tampa Bay, as quarterback Kyler Murray looked skittish in his first full game of the season. With nine catches in three games, Hockenson is performing as a TE2, which is how he should likely be viewed again this week. He's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 23 tight end for Week 4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
T.J. Hockenson Could Be Poised for Expanded Role in Minnesota
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has not produced much value for fantasy managers so far in 2026, recording nine catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets across three games. However, the 29-year-old could be poised for a larger role in the Minnesota passing game going forward. Superstar Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (ankle) suffered an ankle injury during the team's Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jefferson reportedly avoided a serious injury and could even be active for Minnesota's Week 4 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Still, if Jefferson is unable to play, Hockenson could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a tight end streamer ahead of Week 4.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
