Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that tight end T.J. Hockenson will be out for the season due to the ACL and MCL tears he suffered on his right knee. The injury occurred during their Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions.

On second-and-9 from the Vikings’ 20-yard line, quarterback Nick Mullens found Hockenson after a double move for a 24-yard gain. However, Lions safety Kerby Joseph brought Hockenson down by going for his legs, forcing the fifth-year player from Iowa to forcefully tumble on the field.

Hockenson got up and jogged out of the field, hobbling. He did not return, finishing the game with four catches for 58 yards. Through 15 games, the former Iowa standout is Minnesota’s leading receiving with 960 yards and five touchdowns.

Last season, Hockenson played all 17 games. He suited up for Detroit in the first seven before getting traded to the Vikings for a 2023 second-round and 2024 third-round picks.

His injury is unfortunate for a Vikings squad with a slim chance of making the playoffs. With Minnesota at 7-8, winning their last two regular-season games could boost their odds for a postseason berth.

The Vikings had modest success this season despite losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a season-ending Achilles injury. However, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported that the cast around his injured foot has been removed.

Worse yet, rookie receiver Jordan Addison also exited the Lions game with an ankle injury and did not return. The wideout from USC is day-to-day with an ankle injury, per O’Connell. Addison is second to Hockenson in receiving yards for Minnesota with 826.

With the Lions securing the NFC North division title, earning a Wild Card spot is the only postseason route the Vikings can take. Their quest continues without Cousins, Hockenson, and potentially Addison in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. Then, Minnesota will visit the Lions at Ford Field for their season finale.

-Lance Fernandez