T.J.

Hockenson

Hockenson sat out in Week 17 against the Lions and he appears likely to sit out this week as well. Hockenson’s backup, TE Josh Oliver, should not be in re-draft lineups against the Packers even if Hockenson cannot play this week.

Hockenson missed Week 17 with the shoulder issue and looks likely to sit out of Minnesota’s season finale. Josh Oliver and Ben Sims each caught exactly one pass in his absence last week. There isn’t a fantasy tight end of note on the team if Hockenson is out for Week 18.

Hockenson got banged up versus the Giants last week and was unable to practice once before being ruled out for Week 17. With one week left to go, it’s possible his season is over. Max Brosmer is under center for the Vikings this week. We don’t expect him to make any of the Vikings’ backup tight ends relevant for fantasy purposes tomorrow.

You don’t need to wait for the rule out on Wednesday — with Max Brosmer under center, it’s a run-don’t-walk to the waiver wire to replace Hockenson in your Week 17 lineup. If you somehow made it to the championship with Hockenson in your lineup, we’re impressed.

Hockenson popped up for a usable fantasy outing last week, catching four balls for 66 yards. He came crashing back to Earth today with his worst outing of the year. Hockenson has been held under 20 yards in five of his past eight games. He can be left out of starting fantasy lineups heading into Week 17.

Hockenson’s projected cap hit for 2026 is $21.3 million, an untenable amount for someone who is at best the third option for the Vikings at this point in his career. “The Vikings could also save around $9 million for next season by cutting him,” notes Lewis. It sure sounds like the Vikings, entering the offseason at roughly $36 million over the cap per OverTheCap, may have to make a business decision on Hockenson.

Hockenson tied for the team lead in yardage with Jordan Addison and his five targets tied for second on the team behind only Justin Jefferson, the latter of which was a product of only 24 J.J. McCarthy pass attempts. The veteran tight end has had a fantasy season to forget after being drafted in the middle rounds this offseason and the uncertainty at the quarterback position is likely to see his draft capital plummet entering 2026.

Hockenson is good to go for the Vikings’ intriguing game against the Cowboys this weekend, though he can only be viewed as a low-end TE1, at best. The veteran tight end finished as the overall TE14 in half-PPR scoring in consecutive weeks.

Hockenson didn’t practice on Wednesday, so this is a step in the right direction. The veteran probably has some chance of escaping the questionable line if he suits up again on Friday. Hockenson is merely a TE2 against the Cowboys on Sunday if he plays.

Hockenson pops up on the injury report with a new shin issue. He did not practice Wednesday, putting his status for Week 15 in doubt. The veteran has not had much fantasy utility this season, and even saw fellow tight end Josh Oliver score twice in Week 14, despite scoring once himself. Fantasy managers should stay tuned throughout the rest of the week for Hockenson’s status; he is a TE2 if he can play against the Cowboys, otherwise Oliver will get a boost for Week 15.