Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has been a solid player on the Vikings’ offense so far this season. He has been out on the field on Thursday night, doing his best to help the Vikings come back from a 24-10 deficit in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers. But Hockenson has been totally absent from any real work for the Vikings’ offense.
What’s Wrong With Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson?Â
As the Thursday night game is in the third quarter, Hockenson had caught just one pass for 14 yards from Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz. After that, though, he has been a no-show in the Vikings offense.
It’s something that Vikings fans who are watching the game themselves know is happening, too.
T.J. Hockenson hasn’t even touched the ball…
— Brandon Brown (@bbrownDTP) October 24, 2025
Hockenson has watched his Vikings teammates Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison catch passes in the game. Jefferson, in fact, became the fastest wide receiver in NFL history to reach 8,000 career receiving yards in his sixth season. Jefferson has played all six seasons with Minnesota, too.
As the Vikings look to make a comeback, maybe the star tight end will get more chances to contribute against the Chargers.
Hockenson was a first-round draft choice (No. 8 overall) by the Detroit Lions in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Iowa. In the 2025 NFL season, Hockenson has 25 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown. He played for the Lions from 2019-22 before joining the Vikings in the 2022 NFL season.
Career-wise, Hockenson has 407 receptions for 4,198 yards and 24 touchdowns. His longest career touchdown reception is an 81-yarder back in 2022 for the Lions.
According to the PFSN NFL TE Impact metrics, Hockenson has a 75.0 TE Impact Score and grades out with a C. He’s played in seven games this season and, entering Thursday night’s game, had been targeted 33 times by Vikings quarterbacks. As for the Vikings offense, according to the PFSN Offense Impact metrics, the Vikings have a 71.8 Offense Impact Score, and the offense grades out to a C-.
Hockenson knows how to get loose downfield when he can shake off defenders. On Thursday night, though, the Chargers have been playing tough defense, keeping him and the rest of the Vikings offense in check.
As the game enters the fourth quarter, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell hopes that Hockenson can make a big play or two down the stretch.
