Sitting At 52

With last week’s waiving of defensive tackle Jalen Redmond, the Minnesota Vikings roster currently sits at 52 players. My initial and current thought is that the available roster spot is for T.J. Hockenson. The Pro Bowl tight end has been recovering and rehabbing from the injury that resulted from Detroit Lions shit-back Kerby Joseph targeting his knee. Hockenson started the season on reserve/physically unable to perform. It’s an unfortunate term for an unfortunate situation. The Vikings opened his 21-day practice window on October 4th. His first full-team practice was the Friday in London before the Week 5 game against the New York Jets. With the timing of the Hockenson decisions, my assumption was that the Vikings were targeting the October 24th Thursday Night game against the Los Angeles Rams as his return to game action. That gives him a mini-bye of more than a week to deal with any first-game soreness. The Vikings schedule seemed to be set up perfectly for a Week 8 return. If Redmond’s waiving was to open a roster spot for Hockenson, it looks like the Vikings might be targeting this Sunday for Hockenson’s return. The Detroit Lions. Wouldn’t it be sweet for him to return against the team that drafted him and against the dipshit that intentionally took him off the field for months? The potential drawback for that return is the three-day turnaround that follows. After hosting the Lions on Sunday, the Vikings travel to Los Angeles for that Thursday night game. If Hockenson is ready for a return to the field, I guess that he’s ready for the all of the demands of an NFL schedule. 

The preseason hope was that the Vikings could maintain a competitive position while they waited for T.J. Hockenson’s return to the field. They did much better than “maintain a competitive position” as they sit atop the division, the conference, and the league with a 5-0 record. It’s a perfect start record-wise but there have been moments of concern in the last two games. The offense had sputtering stretches against the Green Bay Packers and New York Jets. When teams use an excess of assets to contain all-world receiver Justin Jefferson, the Vikings offense sometimes loses some zip. When that happens, other playmakers must step up and make defenses pay for the attention paid to Jefferson. The Vikings paid a healthy price in draft picks and salary to acquire Hockenson. His impact on the offense was immediate and consistent. If one were to rank the Vikings offensive weapons, he’s #2 or #3. He’s the ideal receiving compliment to Jefferson. Kirk Cousins was thrilled to have him. Sam Darnold will be as well. Despite the perfect start through five games, Hockenson’s absence has been felt. With Jefferson, Hockenson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones, and Jalen Nailor, this offense is loaded with playmakers that can hurt any defense. I can’t wait to see a complete Vikings offense on the field. That time is inching closer.