More than a month since injury

More than a month after enduring a season-ending knee injury, Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has not yet undergone surgery, as reported by Darren Wolfson of KSTP. The update, shared on SKOR North’s Mackey & Judd Show, paints a somewhat grim picture, raising concerns about the timing of Hockenson’s medical intervention.

During the show, Wolfson conveyed the latest information, stating, “Here’s some doom and gloom, something to think about.” Despite the initial expectation of surgery occurring in mid- to late-January or possibly early February, Wolfson’s inquiry revealed that, as of the most recent update, Hockenson had not undergone the anticipated surgery.

Hockenson sustained significant damage to his knee, tearing both the ACL and MCL during the Vikings’ Week 16 defeat against the Detroit Lions. The injury occurred when Lions safety Kerby Joseph delivered a low hit, abruptly concluding Hockenson’s season. Interestingly, Joseph replicated this low hit strategy three weeks later against Rams tight end Tyler Higbee, resulting in the same injury.

Considering the severity of Hockenson’s injury, the delay in surgery prompts concerns about the recovery timeline. Twin Cities Orthopedics suggests a typical recovery period of over six months after knee surgery, and a study by the National Institute of Health indicates an average recovery time of just over 10 months for NFL players experiencing both ACL and MCL tears. While former Vikings running back Adrian Peterson remarkably returned within a quick timeframe after a similar injury, such rapid recoveries are uncommon.

Drawing parallels with another affected player, Rams head coach Sean McVay indicated that Tyler Higbee might begin the 2024 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list due to the timing of his injury. Expressing skepticism about Hockenson’s potential return, Wolfson questioned whether he would be back by Week 1 or even in September, considering the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the situation.