The Green Bay Packers dealt with a plethora of injuries in 2023. They saw their RB1, WR1, LT1, and TE1 all miss significant time. Going into 2024, the Packers have put a focus on staying as healthy by hiring a new strength and conditioning coach.
NFC North rivals were hit by the injury bug in 2023 as well. Notably, the Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson for a significant amount of time during the season as well. Now they’ve ruled out another superstar for the start of the 2024 season.
Green Bay Packers Rival Already Rules Out Superstar For Beginning Of 2024 Season
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
According to CBS News:
Hockenson and Higbee had the same surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Allowing his damaged MCL to fully heal, Hockenson waited until Jan. 29 to have his ACL reconstruction. That pushed back the clock on his recovery a bit but ought to improve his overall outlook for the season. Still, the most likely scenario seems to be making his 2024 debut sometime after the opener.
“When you have a guy 25 yards downfield, looking back at the ball and trying to make a play, and then you have another guy not even staring at the defender and just kind of putting his helmet down at the knee, you see what happens with that,” Hockenson said. “You see it doesn’t put the offensive player in a good position and it doesn’t put the defensive player in a good position. His helmet’s straight down, looking at the ground. That’s not a good football tackle. That’s not good football position.”
For the moment, on the first day of organized offseason workouts, Hockenson was focused on squats, dead lifts and other basics to strengthen the leg muscles around the knee.
“Daily improvement. That’s all we’re really hunting right now,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “T.J.’s going to do everything in his power in many ways to get back as fast as possible.”
How Will TJ Hockeson’s Absence Impact The Minnesota Vikings?
The Vikings currently aren’t sure who their Week One quarterback would be. Sam Darnold is their QB1 at the moment, however, that could change during the 2024 NFL Draft if Minnesota decides to draft their QB of the future.
Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison provide an excellent 1-2 punch at the wide receiver position. That doesn’t change the fact that Hockenson. had 95 receptions, 960 yards, and five touchdowns prior to his injury. He proved to be a vital piece to the Vikings offense in his first full season with the team (Hockenson was traded to the Vikings midway through the 2022 season).
It will be interesting to see how long Hockenson will be out and how the Vikings will replace his productivity.
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