It has been a tough week for the Minnesota Vikings and their fans. This time last week, Minnesota was one of just two undefeated teams in the NFL, along with the defending Super Bowl champions Kansas City. They were sitting atop the toughest division in the NFL, the NFC North, and were one of the biggest surprises of the season to this point.
In just five days, all of that has changed dramatically. The Vikings have lost two games in five days, the strength of the team — the Vikings’ defense — has looked average at best in the two losses, and news came out Friday that starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL and MCL requiring surgery.
It’s been a tough few days for the Vikings, but they got a bit of good news on Friday, as head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that the team would be activating tight end T.J. Hockenson to the active roster following his rehab from a knee injury of his own.
Hockenson was injured late last season when Lions safety Kerby Joseph hit him, tearing ligaments in his knee. It’s been a long rehab for Hockenson, but he’s finally ready to join the team. The Vikings hope his return will inject some life into an offense that has struggled in the past two games.
Minnesota got off to a hot start on Thursday night against the Rams, scoring 14 points in the first quarter. Then the offense cooled off dramatically, scoring just six points in the final three quarters, losing to the Rams 30-20. Hockenson’s return gives the Vikings offense another dynamic playmaker, and should give Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold a safety valve over the middle that he has lacked so far this season.
It remains to be seen whether it will be enough to stop the Vikings’ recent skid, but at the very least, it is a bit of good news in a sea of bad news lately.