The Green Bay Packers will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, and Minnesota has tight end T.J. Hockenson listed on the injury report. He did not practice on Wednesday for Minnesota with a foot injury, and it is something worth monitoring for the rest of the week.
He plays a big role in the Vikings offense. T.J. Hockenson would be a big loss if he doesn’t play against the Packers this weekend. Against the San Francisco 49ers, he caught 11 passes for 86 yards receiving and zero touchdowns. Hockenson averaged 7.8 yards per reception.
On the year, he has caught 47 passes for 390 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Hockenson is averaging 8.3 yards per reception on the year. The Green Bay Packers defense has struggled to cover tight ends this season.
If he were not able to play on Sunday, Josh Oliver would be the starting tight end for the Vikings this weekend if he isn’t able to go. On the year, Oliver has caught 10 passes for 70 yards receiving and one touchdown. He is averaging 7.0 yards per reception.
The Green Bay Packers Need to Prepare As if T.J. Hockenson is Playing This Weekend
Thursday will be a big day for the Vikings’ tight end. If he is at practice, then he will be on a good track to play on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. If not, then his status can very well be in doubt this weekend, but Green Bay needs to prepare as if he is going to play because he is a huge part of the Minnesota Vikings offense.
The passing game is what the Packers’ defense is going to need to stop if they are going to have any chance at pulling off the upset. In the last four of five games, T.J. Hockenson has at least 50 or more yards receiving. The only game that did not happen was against the Carolina Panthers on October 1. He also has had five or more receptions in his last four of five games.
The Green Bay Packers defense knows he will get the ball if he is active. If he isn’t active, then the Vikings offense will miss his presence, and going from T.J. Hockenson to Oliver is a major drop-off at the tight end position for them.
