Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson showed signs of life in Week 3 after two quiet games to start the season. For a couple of weeks, it looked like he might be struggling or even losing his touch, but last week he played more like his old self. That set higher expectations for him heading into Week 4 in Dublin, Ireland, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Hockenson is active and on the field for the game, but he hasn’t been heavily involved early. Quarterback Carson Wentz has been focusing on star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, giving him the majority of the targets. That means Hockenson hasn’t been a major part of the offense yet, even though he’s healthy and ready to contribute.
Hockenson may not be the focal point of this Vikings offense right now, but he still has the potential to make plays, especially in the red zone. He’s more likely to get production with Wentz at quarterback than he would have with J.J. McCarthy. For fantasy players, the hope is that Hockenson can find the end zone, even if his early involvement in the game has been limited.
It’s not ideal for him to start off quietly in the early kickoff, but there’s still upside. If the Vikings continue moving the ball effectively, Hockenson could still make an impact later in the game. Patience is key, but he remains a valuable piece of the offense.