Inexperienced Bay Packers' Keisean Nixon stops Minnesota Vikings' T.J. Hockenson after a catch in the course of the first half of an NFL soccer sport Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Picture\/Bruce Kluckhohn)AP<\/span>
Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson was sidelined with a knee harm throughout their Week 7, 31-29 loss to the Lions in Minnesota. That received\u2019t be the case this Sunday at Ford Discipline.
In a winner-take-all state of affairs for the NFC North crown and the convention\u2019s high seed, the Lions will host the Vikings in a matchup that may see one group attain 14 wins and play within the Wild Card, whereas the opposite will earn a bye week till the divisional spherical and safe home-field benefit.
Figuring out what\u2019s at stake, Hockenson shared his perspective on the importance of Sunday\u2019s sport when talking with reporters earlier this week.
\u201cThat\u2019s what we play for,\u201d Hockenson mentioned. \u201cIt\u2019s December soccer; it’s the finish of the yr. That\u2019ll be January. And so, it\u2019s going to be a number of enjoyable. I imply, you wish to play in video games like that, and it\u2019s going to be an enormous one in Detroit, and we\u2019re trying ahead to it. There\u2019s nothing \u2014 it\u2019s a one-and-oh mentality. That\u2019s all we\u2019ve had all yr, and we\u2019ve by no means appeared in the direction of what could possibly be or what may occur. We\u2019re simply trying in the direction of Detroit proper now, and we\u2019ll be the place our ft are.\u201d
For Hockenson, Sunday\u2019s sport will likely be a return to his outdated stomping grounds, the place he performed the primary three and a half seasons of his NFL profession. The Lions chosen Hockenson with the No. 8 general choose within the 2019 draft. He loved average success in Detroit, together with a Professional Bowl nod in 2020.
Nonetheless, the Lions determined to half methods with the previous Iowa standout, buying and selling him to the Vikings in trade for a 2023 second-round choose and a 2024 third-round draft choose. He completed his tenure in Detroit with 186 receptions for two,068 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Whereas Hockenson has seen success in Minnesota, together with one other Professional Bowl nod in 2022, he and the Vikings have but to safe a win in opposition to the Lions, whether or not he was in or out of the lineup.
When requested about his emotions on taking part in his former group, Hockenson expressed his pleasure whereas additionally professing his respect for the group and his former teammates.
\u201cI imply, everytime you play your earlier group, clearly you\u2019re going to have your pleasure,\u201d Hockenson mentioned. \u201cAnd it\u2019s Detroit. I\u2019ve performed there loads in my profession, and I do know a number of guys on that facet of the ball, so it\u2019ll be enjoyable. It\u2019ll be an thrilling sport.
\u201cAnd once more, I do know lots of people in that group. I respect that group. I respect these folks there, so it\u2019s going to be a very good sport. It\u2019s going to be a enjoyable sport. I heard it\u2019s Sunday night time now, so it\u2019s going to be a number of enjoyable.\u201d
In 9 video games this season, Hockenson has 39 receptions for 446 yards and no touchdowns.
If you are going to buy a product or register for an account by means of a hyperlink on our website, we might obtain compensation. By utilizing this website, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and private info could also be collected, recorded, and\/or saved by us and social media and different third-party companions in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/span>
Use of and\/or registration on any portion of this website constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement<\/a>, (up to date 8\/1\/2024) and acknowledgement of our Privacy Policy<\/a>, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights<\/a> (up to date 1\/1\/2025).
\u00a9 2025 Advance Native Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us<\/a>).
The fabric on this website is probably not reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or in any other case used, besides with the prior written permission of Advance Native.
Community Rules<\/a> apply to all content material you add or in any other case undergo this website.
YouTube's privateness coverage<\/strong> is out there here<\/a> and YouTube's phrases of service<\/strong> is out there here<\/a>.
Ad Choices<\/a><\/p>\n

source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Inexperienced Bay Packers' Keisean Nixon stops Minnesota Vikings' T.J. Hockenson after a catch in the course of the first half of an NFL soccer sport Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Picture\/Bruce Kluckhohn)APVikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson was sidelined with a knee harm throughout their Week 7, 31-29 loss to the Lions in Minnesota. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-270716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n