Though he has made steady progress over the past few months, star tight end star tight end T.J. Hockenson will miss at least first month of this season.

A source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Tuesday morning that Hockenson will stay on the Physically Unable To Perform List as he continues to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The decision makes Hockenson ineligible to play for the Vikings against the Giants, 49ers, Texans, and Packers. He would be eligible to come off the PUP list after missing that stretch.

This news isn’t surprising given the way head coach Kevin O’Connell talked about Hockenson throughout training camp. As good as he’s looked working out on the side fields at TCO Performance Center, the Vikings have long had a plan in place for Hockenson, and they aren’t going to stray away from that.

In the absence of Hockenson, the Vikings will rely on fellow tight ends Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt to pick up the slack.

Briefly

A source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Tuesday morning that the Vikings are placing undrafted rookie edge rusher Gabe Murphy on injured reserve with a designation for return. That means he will be eligible to come back after missing the first month.

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