EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings will reportedly start the season without one of their top receiving options.
According to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the team will leave tight end T.J. Hockenson on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list while he recovers from last season's ACL injury.
As a result, Hockenson won't be available for at least the first four weeks of the regular season, including their first game with NFC North rival Green Bay. The other three games Hockenson will be out for are against the New York Giants, the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans.
The report came just hours before the Vikings announced their final cuts to get their roster down to 53 players. The move allows the Vikings to perhaps keep another tight end on their roster while Hockenson continues to recover from an ACL tear he suffered back in December against the Detroit Lions. Prior to the injury, the two-time Pro Bowl tight end hauled in 95 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns.
The Vikings still have several options at tight end, including Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt, who saw additional playing time last season following Hockenson's injury. The team also added Robert Tonyan in the offseason, and converted N'Keal Harry, a former first-round pick at receiver, to tight end.
The Vikings kick off the season Sept. 8 on the road against the New York Giants.
