Vikings TE Josh Oliver (wrist, ankle) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Cardinals. Oliver’s absence last week was seemingly part of the reason TE T.J. Hockenson registered a season-high 84% route rate. He’s a more comfortable TE1 play with Oliver out again this week.

Vikings TE Josh Oliver (wrist, ankle) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Bears. As crazy as it sounds, that might mean a bigger role for TE T.J. Hockenson. Oliver has run a pass route on about 50% of Vikings pass plays in both of the last two weeks, while Hockenson has been at 71% and then 57%.

The Vikings are leaving TE T.J. Hockenson on the physically unable to perform list to open the season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That's no surprise as Hockenson works back from his Dec. 24 ACL tear. The designation means Hockenson will miss at least the first four regular-season games.

On Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter confirmed that Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson tore his right ACL and MCL in Sunday's loss vs. the Lions. That ends Hockenson's phenomenal season. The veteran pass-catcher posted a position-leading 127 targets and 219 PPR points (a career-best) through Week 16. We'll see about his chances of making it back for the start of 2024. But his long-term dynasty value should still largely remain intact. Be sure to keep up with us throughout the offseason as more information becomes available. Hockenson's injury likely means more playing time for TEs Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt. They saw near-identical playing time against the Lions, with Mundt getting the edge in snaps (23-21) and targets (3-2). The presence of both makes neither especially attractive for fantasy purposes. WR K.J. Osborn probably gains the most fantasy relevance.