Kevin O’Connell: I think TJ Hockenson is ready to play

After being taken off the physically unable to field list late last week, tight end TJ Hockenson looks set to make his 2024 debut on Sunday.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters at his Wednesday press conference that Hockenson should be good for the Week 9 game against the Colts.

“I think TJ is ready to play no matter how good he’s looked since we got him here and that’s saying something considering the impact he made right away in ’22 and then the season he had last year on the moment he was injured,” O’Connell said. “I know he’s excited. Everyone is happy that he is back. A large part of our system, offense and organization has 87 again.”

As for playing time, O’Connell did not explicitly mention a seating restriction. But the team does have other options at the position that have been effective so far this season.

“No matter how things work out at that position, with a guy like Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt who have done some really good things, I think it will work itself out,” O’Connell said.

According to Minnesota’s first injury report of the week, Hockenson was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

Before suffering a torn ACL and MCL, Hockenson had caught 95 passes for 960 yards with five touchdowns in 15 games.