The Minnesota Vikings will travel to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Here’s the latest fantasy football news and advice to help you with your lineups this week and moving forward, specifically regarding TE T.J. Hockenson.
Is T.J. Hockenson Playing in Week 1?
Hockenson is not listed on the injury report this week, so barring any setbacks, he will play.
We’ll continue to monitor the Vikings’ injury report leading up to kickoff for any changes. You can also visit and bookmark our Fantasy News Tracker for the latest updates.
Should You Start or Sit T.J. Hockenson in Week 1?
Last season was anything but fun for managers with T.J. Hockenson. Not only did he miss seven games, but he was largely MIA when on the field, failing to score a single touchdown and recording his lowest on-field target share since his rookie campaign with the Lions.
It happens.
The team experimented with running him downfield more often (his aDOT jumped 21.1% from his 2023 rate), and it didn’t work. But maybe it laid the foundation for what Kevin O’Connell has in store for this JJ McCarthy-led offense?
If so, it won’t take long to see it pay off. On passes thrown 10+ yards downfield, the Bears allowed the second-most yards per attempt, and Hockenson played into those struggles by racking up 12 catches in 166 yards in their two meetings last season.
This offense clearly has a significant moving piece, which introduces a low floor until we know otherwise, but Hockenson’s role seems stable. You should be comfortable locking him into your lineup across all formats.
After a month of data points, we will have a better feel for this team as a whole, but I think it’s more likely that Hockenson jumps up a tier from where you drafted him than fails to pay off his price tag.
Are you looking for start/sit advice for other players in your lineup? Read our Week 1 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em article.
T.J. Hockenson’s Fantasy Points Projection in Week 1
Hockenson is projected to score 12.3 points in PPR formats. This includes 5.3 receptions for 54.3 yards and 0.3 touchdowns.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
Week 1 Weather Impact: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Weather could significantly impact this outdoor game with temperatures at 64 degrees Fahrenheit and strong winds of 16 mph. The wind will likely affect the passing and kicking games, potentially favoring rushing attacks.
