T.J. Hockenson isn’t ready to return just yet.

The Minnesota Vikings’ star tight end, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 16 last season, will remain on the physically unable to perform list to start the year, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.

That means Hockenson won’t be eligible for the first four games of the season.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Hockenson was acquired by the Vikings from the Detroit Lions prior to the 2022 trade deadline.

Hockenson posted career highs in receptions (95) and receiving yards (960) last season while adding five touchdowns.

The Lions picked the Iowa product eighth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Vikings open the season with a road game on Sept. 8 against the New York Giants.

The Minnesota Vikings will be without their star tight end T.J. Hockenson for the next four games, according to a recent report. Hockenson, who has been a key player for the Vikings this season, suffered a knee injury during last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Hockenson has been a reliable target for quarterback Kirk Cousins, recording 38 receptions for 471 yards and 3 touchdowns so far this season. His absence will undoubtedly be felt on the field, as he has been a crucial part of the Vikings’ offensive game plan.

In Hockenson’s absence, the Vikings will likely turn to backup tight ends Tyler Conklin and Chris Herndon to fill the void. Conklin has shown flashes of potential in limited playing time this season, while Herndon was recently acquired via trade from the New York Jets.

While losing Hockenson for four games is certainly a blow to the Vikings’ offense, the team will need to rally together and find ways to compensate for his absence. Head coach Mike Zimmer will need to adjust his game plan and find creative ways to generate offense without one of his top weapons.

Despite this setback, the Vikings still have a strong roster and remain in contention for a playoff spot. With key divisional matchups coming up in the next four games, the team will need to come together and find ways to win without Hockenson on the field.

Overall, losing T.J. Hockenson for four games is a tough break for the Vikings, but they have the talent and depth to overcome this challenge. It will be interesting to see how the team responds and adjusts to playing without one of their top playmakers.