Vikings TE Hockenson undergoes ACL repair surgery

EGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson underwent surgery on Monday to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that he suffered against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 24, the Vikings confirmed. Injured during the team’s game.

Hockenson also suffered a torn MCL in the same knee and decided with the Vikings to delay ACL surgery until the MCL heals.

Monday’s surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache of Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles. Training camp is about six months away, and the Vikings have not provided a timetable for Hockenson’s return to action.

The injury occurred during the Vikings’ 30-24 loss to the Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. After leaping to catch a 24-yard pass, Hockenson took a knee hit from Lions safety Kerby Joseph. (Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee suffered a similar injury, and Joseph had an almost identical hit in a wild-card playoff loss to the Lions.)

“It was a very, very unfortunate game,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said after Hockenson’s injury. “We did a good job. [in the NFL] Helps eliminate some blows to the head and neck of defenseless players, [but] Some of these low click rates can be extremely disastrous for men. It’s so horrific to see this happen. “

Hockenson is having a career year in his first full season with the Vikings. At the time of the injury, he was second among NFL tight ends in receptions (95) and third in receiving yards (960). He signed a four-year contract extension in August 2023 worth at least $66 million to $68.5 million.