T.J. HOCKENSON NEWS

Should be healthy soon Hockenson (thumb) recently said he'll be healthy for the start of the Lions' offseason program, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports. "I'm almost there already, and it's only been a fe...

Impact The tight end had surgery on his left thumb in mid-December, thus wrapping up the 2021 season with a 61-583-4 receiving line in 12 games (84 targets, 7.0 per week). Hockenson now enters the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, though the Lions presumably will exercise his fifth-year team option before the May 2 deadline. He should retain breakout appeal as he enters his age-25 season, especially if the Lions upgrade at other positions this spring. Hockenson is one of the core pieces of Detroit's rebuild and a true three-down tight end.

JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Lions' relatively strong ending gives hope for 2022 season

The Detroit Lions can take some solace in the way their disappointing season concluded

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lawrence, McCaffrey, Jones headline 2021 All-Absent Team

Every year, players in every NFL city fail to meet expectations

DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moved to IR Hockenson (thumb) was placed on injured reserve Friday.

Impact The 24-year-old tight end had season-ending surgery Thursday on his left thumb, and he wraps up 2021 with 61 catches for 583 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games (84 targets). Hockenson should have plenty of time to recover before the offseason program, while Shane Zylstra and Brock Wright are left to take over at tight end for the final four weeks of the 2021 campaign.

DECEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

AP source: Lions' Hockenson had season-ending thumb surgery

A person familiar with the situation says Detroit Lions tight end T

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson undergoes thumb surgery, out for season: Report T.J. Hockenson, who leads the Detroit Lions with 61 catches for 583 yards and 4 receiving TDs, injured his thumb in practice last week

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • FREEP.COM

Undergoes season-ending surgery Hockenson had season-ending surgery on his left thumb Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The first inclination that Hockenson may be dealing with a serious injury was last Thursday, when he was spotted with a heavy wrap on his left hand. He eventually was deemed doubtful for Week 14 action and inactive Sunday in Denver. Upon returning to Detroit earlier this week, coach Dan Campbell relayed hope that Hockenson would be able to play Week 15, but the ensuing procedure will bring his campaign to an abrupt conclusion, with the expectation he'll complete his recovery by the offseason program. Hockenson will end his third season as a pro with 61 catches (on 84 targets) for 583 yards and four touchdowns in 12 appearances. The Lions will turn to Brock Wright and practice squad member Shane Zylstra at tight end down the stretch.

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from practice Hockenson (hand) isn't participating in Thursday's practice, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Since turning in a limited session last Wednesday due to a left hand injury, Hockenson hasn't taken any reps in any of the Lions' subsequent four practices. He was listed as doubtful before being placed on the inactive list for last week's loss to the Broncos, and unless he gets back on the field in some capacity Friday, Hockenson will likely carry a designation into this weekend's contest against Arizona, if he's not ruled out beforehand. Backup tight ends Shane Zylstra (63 percent of offensive snaps, six targets) and Brock Wright (55 percent, five targets) saw similar workloads and involvement in the passing game while Hockenson was sidelined in Denver.

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

NFC-West leading Cardinals aim for 8-0 road mark at Detroit

The NFC-West leading Arizona Cardinals are a win away from earning a spot in the playoffs for the first time in six years

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

TE T.J. Hockenson, RB D'Andre Swift miss Lions' 1st practice of Week 15 Check out the Lions’ first injury report of the week.

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

D'Andre Swift, T.J. Hockenson among 7 Lions missing practice with injuries D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson among 7 Lions missing Wednesday’s practice with injuries

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

No practice Wednesday Hockenson (hand) won't practice Wednesday, Chris Burke of The Athletic reports.

Impact Hockenson couldn't suit up for Detroit's Week 14 loss to Denver, and though head coach Dan Campbell said he's "hopeful" the tight end will return for Week 15, Burke theorizes that Hockenson is trending in the wrong direction. In any case, Hockenson will almost certainly need to return to practice in at least a limited fashion by Friday to have a shot at suiting up in Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Darren Waller, Keenan Allen, T.J. Hockenson, more affecting Week 15 rankings Darren Waller, Keenan Allen, T.J. Hockenson, Adam Thielen, and Tyler Higbee headline a group of pass-catchers with unknown statuses heading...

DECEMBER 14, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Optimism regarding Week 15 return Coach Dan Campbell said Monday he's "hopeful" Hockenson (hand) will be available for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Campbell said the same of D'Andre Swift (shoulder), so it looks like it's possible both of Detroit's top offensive weapons could be back on the field versus Arizona. In the event that Hockenson needs more time to rest, however, undrafted rookie Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra (also undrafted in 2020) will once again be called upon to hold down the fort at tight end.

DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lions lose even more key players in blowout loss to Denver

The Detroit Lions knew they didn’t have much of a chance against the Denver Broncos

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lions rule out TE T.J. Hockenson among Week 14 inactives Hockenson and RB D’Andre Swift are among the key players inactive with injuries

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Sitting out in Week 14 Hockenson (hand) is inactive for Sunday's game at Denver.

Impact After opening Week 14 prep with a limited session, Hockenson didn't practice at all Thursday and Friday. In the process, he was seen Thursday with a heavy wrap on his left hand, an injury that will force his first absence since the 2019 season finale. With Hockenson sidelined, the Lions will trot out undrafted rookie Brock Wright and practice squad member Shane Zylstra at tight end.

DECEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful for Sunday Hockenson (hand) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game in Denver, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.

Impact Hockenson was a limited practice participant Wednesday before sitting out Thursday and Friday, with Detroit beat reporters noticing a heavy wrap over his left hand. The Lions are woefully thin for the upcoming contest, with around half the roster missing practice time this week due to some combination of injuries, a flu bug and COVID-19. With Hockenson likely missing the upcoming game, Brock Wright figures to step in as Detroit's top tight end.

DECEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Misses practice again Hockenson (hand) didn't practice Friday, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Impact Coach Dan Campbell acknowledged RB D'Andre Swift (shoulder) is unlikely to play this week but didn't make any similar comments about Hockenson. The tight end has now missed back-to-back practices after a limited session Wednesday, with Friday's injury report potentially revealing if he's in real danger of missing the game in Denver on Sunday.

DECEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out Thursday's practice Hockenson (hand) didn't practice Thursday.

Impact During the portion of Thursday's session open to the media, Hockenson was spotted with a heavy tape job on his left hand, according to Justin Rogers of The Detroit News. Hockenson's downgrade from limited Wednesday to no activity one day later may merely be maintenance-related, but Friday's injury report will relay whether the tight end is in possible danger of sitting out this weekend.

DECEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with hand issue Hockenson (hand) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated practice report.

Impact The hand injury is a new health concern for Hockenson after he avoided practice limitations since Week 8 prep. During that five-game stretch, he put together a 23-224-2 receiving line on 31 targets. Assuming he gets past the current issue by week's end, Hockenson again will serve as one of the Lions' top receiving options, but who will be throwing him passes is a question mark with Jared Goff unable to practice Wednesday due to an illness.

DECEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Snags another touchdown Hockenson caught four of eight targets for 49 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 29-27 win over Minnesota.

Impact Hockenson found the painted area for the second straight week as his up-and-down usage continues. Through 12 games, the tight end has seen eight or more targets eight times while seeing three or less targets in the remaining four games. If D'Andre Swift (shoulder) remains sidelined in Week 14, fantasy managers will need to hope that Hockenson doesn't get schemed out of the game plan by a decent Denver secondary.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Vikings throw away key victory with late defensive collapse

The Minnesota Vikings are perfectly aware of what they wasted on Sunday afternoon

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Winless no more: Lions top Vikes 29-27 for 1st W in Week 13

Jared Goff threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown as time expired, lifting the previously winless Detroit Lions to a 29-27 win over the Minnesota Vikings

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Goff threads the needle on 9-yard TD to Hockenson Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff threads the needle on 9-yard TD to tight end T.J. Hockenson.

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • NFL.COM