Minnesota Vikings Lose Another Star for Remainder of Season

The Minnesota Vikings have been walloped by injuries this year, losing QB Kirk Cousins for the season, Justin Jefferson for half the season, and another star is now down for the rest of the season.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed that Tight End T.J. Hockenson will be placed on the injured reserved list due to tearing both his ACL and MCL in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Hockenson will undergo surgery and the road to full recovery could take longer being that double ligament tears can take more time, coach O'Connell said, "Knowing T.J., the type of player he is, I'm absolutely looking forward to when we can get him back rolling and ready to have a great 2024 season."

Hockenson had been having the best season of his career, he ranks second in the NFL among tight ends with 95 catches and is ranked third in receiving yards with 960. Since being acquired from the Lions in 2022, Hockenson leads tight ends in number of receptions, with 155.

Hockenson wasn't the only player to get injured during the Lions matchup, wide receiver Jordan Addison left the game with an ankle injury, linebacker D.J. Wonnum suffered a torn left quadriceps and will miss the rest of the season, and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon suffered a shoulder injury. Addison and Wonnum are day-to-day with their injuries.

The Vikings only have two games remaining, one New Year's Eve the team travels to Green Bay to play the 7-8 Packers, and they will wrap up the season playing the Lions on Sunday, January 7th. The Vikings still have a slim chance to make the playoffs, but it is unlikely, and does it matter? They would be one and done anyway.