Report: Vikings 'could be in the market for a tight end' due to T.J. Hockenson's injury rehab
The Vikings could be looking for tight end help this offseason, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Minnesota's top tight end T.J. Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL in the team's Week 16 loss to Detroit. Hockenson's surgery to repair the ACL was delayed into late January due to rehab on his MCL.
Typical recovery time for an ACL injury is around 8-9 months, putting into question Hockenson's availability for the start of the 2024 season. Due to those questions, Fowler noted "the Vikings could be in the market for a tight end due to T.J. Hockenson's lengthy rehab on a surgically repaired knee" in a recent article looking at offseason needs.
Currently the only other tight end under contract with the Vikings is Josh Oliver, who signed a three-year deal last offseason. Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse are both out of contract this offseason.
Minnesota could look to bring either of those two back as depth pieces or they could look to the free agent market for veteran help. The 2024 tight end free agent class is generally considered one of the weaker position groups this offseason but does still provide a handful of experienced tight ends.
PFF listed seven tight ends in their top-150 free agents, only two cracked the top-50 with only four in the top-100.
Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts with tight end Josh Oliver (84) and guard Dalton Risner (66) after a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
