Have You Seen T.J. Hockenson?
 during practice at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/hocklennon.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=669,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/hocklennon.jpg”><figcaption><span>Feb 4, 2023; Paradise, NV, USA; NFC tight end T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings (87) during practice at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>There was never a reality in which Jordan Addison wasn’t going to be suspended.</p>
<p><strong>The Minnesota Vikings have to expect more than they have gotten from T.J. Hockenson, and it’s beyond time for him to produce.</strong></p>
<p>His actions were straightforward, and the league was always going to remain consistent with the discipline. That meant the Minnesota Vikings offense would be without him for three weeks.</p>
<p>That was immediately addressed by trading for Adam Thielen. The veteran wide receiver brings a baseline level of assumed production while being a good story. Thielen didn’t need to be the <a href=)
key piece of the puzzle, though. That’s where tight end T.J. Hockenson should have come in.
Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson Has Been a Non-Factor thru 2 Games
When the Vikings traded for Hockenson, the move couldn’t have made more sense. Irv Smith Jr. was hurt once again, and Hockenson was a sizable upgrade over the best of expectations for the current tight end. It immediately panned out, and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looked like a genius for pulling off the move.
 runs the ball against AFC cornerback Pat Surtain II of the Denver Broncos (2) at the 2023 Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hockpb.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=670,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hockpb.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hockpb.jpg” alt=”Tight End”><figcaption>Feb 5, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; NFC tight end T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings (87) runs the ball against AFC cornerback Pat Surtain II of the Denver Broncos (2) at the 2023 Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Fast forward to where we are now, and it’s worth wondering if the knee injury is still a problem, or Hockenson simply isn’t the same player. Despite a dynamic skillset, he has failed to produce as one of the league’s best tight ends since last year, and he has been non-existent to start the season.</p>
<p>Hockenson has caught just 4-of-7 targets for a whopping 27 yards. He’s dropped passes, and he’s missed assignments. He hasn’t provided the passing game with an alternative option, which makes it easy to overlook him as a whole. That simply cannot continue.</p>
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plenty of passes to go around. Thielen didn’t come in to be a savior, and Hockenson should be doing more to shoulder the load.
 tackles Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22080672.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22080672.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=666,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/USATSI_22080672.jpg” alt ><figcaption>Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) tackles Minnesota tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>At some point, we need to see it play out on the field. Hockenson has his future to play for, and right now, he’s toying with tanking it.</p>
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Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler
