T.J.Hockenson

News: 7 hours agoThe Vikings are thought to be loosely targeting a return from the reserve/PUP list for Hockenson (knee) after the team's Week 6 bye, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Spin: Minnesota placed Hockenson on the reserve/PUP list upon trimming down to a 53-man roster, which rules the standout tight end out for at least the first four games of the season, but it sounds like Hockenson's return to the field could take until Week 7, after the team's bye. That makes sense considering not only Hockenson's recovery timetable, as he works his way back from right ACL and MCL tears suffered late last December, but also the Vikings' schedule. The team has an overseas Week 5 matchup against the Jets prior to the bye. Until Hockenson is cleared to retake the field, Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver are slated to hold down the fort at the tight end position.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Hockenson is back for his third season with the Vikings after tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 16 last season. It was an unfortunate end to an otherwise spectacular season for the superstar tight end. A top-five tight end in three of the past four seasons, the biggest question is how many games Hockenson will miss as he rehabs from this injury. Loosely projected to miss the first four to six weeks of the season, while likely playing with a rookie QB, means Hockenson checks in outside the top 12 at the TE position. He should be drafted late in all formats, as he could return to the TE1 mix during the season.