EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson's highly anticipated return appears to be coming Sunday night.
"I'm excited. Like back with the boys, you know, that's the best feeling," Hockenson said Thursday. "Back out here playing some football ... ready to go about on Sunday and play."
The 27-year-old was a full participant for the second straight practice on Thursday after being elevated to the active roster last week. The two-time Pro Bowler is coming back from a torn ACL and MCL he suffered last December in a game against Detroit. Last week, he told reporters he was feeling healthy, but on a short week, the team ultimately held him out of Thursday night's contest with the Los Angeles Rams.
"I'm just excited to go out there and show all the work I've done and how good these (physical trainers) are that I've worked with," Hockenson said. "I can't give enough credit to the people that are here ... I'm just excited to go out there on Sunday and play ball."
Hockenson's return will be more than welcomed for a Vikings offense seeking consistency, especially in the pass game. Since joining the team in a rare inter-division trade back in 2022, Hockenson has caught 155 passes for 1,479 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the team with 95 receptions last season, and his 960 receiving yards were second only to star receiver Justin Jefferson (1,074).
Left tackle Cam Robinson also participated in practice Thursday, his first since the Vikings acquired him in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday.
In the portion of practice that was open to the media, Robinson was doing drills with the starters, but couldn't confirm on Thursday if he was would be on the field on Sunday.
"I'm not sure," Robinson said. "We're just taking it all in right now, trying to be a sponge, take in as much as I can. Still kind of feeling all that out, so I'm just unsure right now."
