Minnesota Vikings All-Pro Tight End T.J. Hockenson Done for the Year

The Minnesota Vikings' playoff push just got a lot more complicated. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, two-time Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Vikings’ TE TJ Hockenson suffered a season-ending torn ACL and MCL vs. the Lions.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2023

Hockenson nabbed four of four targets for 58 yards on only 24 offensive snaps prior to the season-ending injury. Even with two games left on the schedule, he ends his year with career-best marks in receptions (95) and receiving yards (960). He leads the team in both categories.

Hockenson's injury is yet another setback for a Vikings team that has already started four separate quarterbacks due to a combination of injury and poor play. Their offense was also without All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson for seven games due to a lingering hamstring injury.

Despite all that bad luck, the Vikings are 7-8 and remain square in the playoff hunt: they're a game behind the six-seeded Los Angeles Rams and seventh-seeded Seattle Seahawks. But with the Green Bay Packers on deck for Week 17 and a season finale against the Detroit Lions, optimism should be waning in Minnesota. Ultimately, Hockenson' injury may be the straw that breaks the camel's back.