Did T.J. Hockenson actually have an ear infection? Was he lower back too tight to practice with the team after he recovered from the alleged ear infection? Was it all a smoke screen to avoid saying he was the latest NFL example of a “hold-in” while contract negotiations were ongoing?
Only Hockenson and the Vikings know for certain, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday – less than an hour after the Vikings announced a mega contract extension with Hockenson – that the Vikings tight end was a “hold-in.”
“Hockenson has been a ‘hold-in’ during training camp and now can gear up for the regular season opener vs. Tampa Bay,” Schefter said.
Hockenson was never away from the team, but he was relegated to individual drills while avoiding all team practices and joint practices with the Titans and Cardinals as he was allegedly recovering from the aforementioned ear infection and back tightness.
Minnesota and T.J. Hockenson are finalizing a new deal that will make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends, per @jeremyfowler and me. Hockenson has been a “hold-in” during training camp and now can gear up for the regular season opener vs. Tampa Bay.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2023
For the uninitiated, a hold-in is when a player attends training camp but doesn’t practice in an effort to get a new deal or force a trade. Players used to hold out but the newest CBA makes that increasingly expensive, thus the new “hold-in.”
So what does Hockenson have to say about his sudden turn in health after a contract extension?
“I’m feeling good. I’m feeling better. It’s one of those things, I’m still working into September 10th,” Hockenson said Thursday. “I’m excited for that and that’s what we’re getting ready for. That’s the whole goal from OTA’s through camp is September 10th and that’s when I’ll be out there and be ready to go. Very excited for that. Just excited to get the rust off and start rolling this season.”
OK, so about as cliché as you can get there. What about when he was asked about practicing without a contract extension?
“I mean, it’s football at the end of the day,” said Hockenson. “I’ve played it since I was young. There’s obviously always things that happen throughout your time. It’s a gritty sport. You get nicks and bruises, on the same hand you go out and play and that’s kind of how it is. That’s what we’re set out to do, is September 10th. That’s what we were trying to be smart with, is just get me ready for the season. That’s what we’re here to do. As much as you want these three weeks of practice, you got to watch tape, get mentally prepared and get ready for that game. I’ve been trying to do everything I can to get ready for that game and now to be back out here with the boys, it’s truly incredible. To be back in the huddle, and see everybody, just hear the calls come in, it just makes me more excited about the season.”
Again, a lot of word salad without actually addressing the issue of practicing without a contract or even the previous ailments that hindered him from taking part in camp. Whatever the case, Hockenson is good to go and that’s all that really matters.
