Former Lions Tight End T.J. Hockenson Suffers ACL, MCL Tear

[{"selector":"#anim-47f11ee3-e8d5-44da-9600-8955bc75f1ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f3dae6f1-c73f-487a-b8d0-448d20f0bba0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] The Detroit Lions celebrated clinching the NFC North title, but the Minnesota Vikings suffered a crucial loss and a major injury setback.

[{"selector":"#anim-c1c3f72d-8313-47c4-b9db-9dbf70acd8e2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cfe8b91b-f6fd-4eeb-9a06-a57b970580fe","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Star tight end T.J. Hockenson's season-ending ACL and MCL tear dealt a blow to the Vikings' playoff hopes.

[{"selector":"#anim-24be2137-5f7a-49b5-95c6-259151dcc228","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25184863-3ef1-4c11-ac11-1ae747d29512","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Hockenson's stellar season, with career-high stats, was abruptly halted by the injury against his former t eam.

[{"selector":"#anim-da2344c0-f3f9-4ffe-838d-c163609f7865","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cf276a4-086b-40c3-b951-82660498e180","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] His absence leaves a significant void in the Vikings' offense and potentially impacts the start of his 2024 se ason.

[{"selector":"#anim-4c52dfd3-6011-4bac-889b-647ed503604b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2dbfc2fd-4dd6-4f9a-b986-8a03b9dd6bd5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Pass-rusher D.J. Wonnum also suffered a season-ending injury, compounding Minnesota's woes.

[{"selector":"#anim-bfe83712-62e9-49bd-bc00-76508dbf4af5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-813a0941-d9b7-4e75-988c-a97a1b067d69","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell expressed deep disappointment over the losses of Hockens on and Wonnum.

[{"selector":"#anim-7d692d58-f21b-4930-bef7-da08d2c4b3ac","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-536182a9-d809-431e-8128-71cbf0d81ff2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Both players were valued leaders on and off the field, leaving big shoes to fill for the team.

[{"selector":"#anim-3b885fff-f8a3-481e-82b5-8bdb7e1e3cd8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98887763-c4ce-4123-98ef-9a3d093e69bf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] O'Connell emphasized the need for other players to step up in the absence of Hockenson and Won num.