After a five-week wait for his MCL injury to heal, Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson underwent successful ACL surgery this week. With over seven months until the start of the 2024 season, his recovery journey has begun. However, given the typical 9-12 month timeline for ACL injuries, it’s likely that Hockenson might miss a significant portion, if not the entirety, of the upcoming regular season. The uncertainty around his return prompts the Vikings to explore options, possibly signing a free-agent tight end to step into the receiving role.
While they have Josh Oliver, primarily a blocking tight end, the Vikings may need someone to fill the void left by Hockenson’s absence. Johnny Mundt, who performed well in the last three games of the season with a 10/120/1 receiving line, is a potential candidate. Another suggestion comes from a recent Bleacher Report article proposing the Browns’ Harrison Bryant as a one-year option to address roster concerns in 2024.
Bryant appears to be a practical choice for a team with budget constraints or in need of temporary tight-end support. The Vikings fit this profile, with Hockenson’s injury creating a gap in the early stages of the 2024 season. Drafted in the fourth round in 2020, Bryant has accumulated 400 to 600 snaps in each of the last four years with the Cleveland Browns. While his career stats include 89 catches for 791 yards and 10 touchdowns, the 6’5″ tight end could offer the Vikings a reliable option at an affordable price. Turning 26 in April, Bryant, who was drafted during Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s tenure in the Browns’ front office, could serve as a solid fill-in. Additionally, there are other cost-effective free-agent tight ends, such as Colby Parkinson, Adam Trautman, Drew Sample, Irv Smith Jr., and Brycen Hopkins, who could also be considered for this role.
