The Minnesota Vikings’ losses in Week 16 turned out to be much more severe than they appeared in the moments following the game.
“We verified with DJ Wonnum that he had indeed suffered a tear to his quadriceps. He will be placed on injured reserve, and hopefully this week, we’ll have that surgically fixed,” Head Coach Kevin O’Connell announced on December 26 via the team. T.J. Hockenson also suffered an injury to his MCL and ACL. He will also be placed on IR.
The loss of two of their “most impactful players” and “leaders,” according to O’Connell, has left him “crushed,” and he added that it will be challenging to fill their void.
The combined pay of Hockenson and Wonnum is $70 million. However, according to Spotrac, they only count $7.9 million against the cap this season. That demonstrates how valuable they were to the Vikings this season.
In the third quarter of the Vikings’ eventual 30-24 loss against the Detroit Lions, Hockenson departed the game.
Nick Mullens hit him with a ball that went for 24 yards and a first down. However, he was struck directly in the knee by Lions safety Kerby Joseph. He walked to the sidelines and didn’t come back throughout the 30-24 defeat.
“I have so much to say, T.J.,” O’Connell exclaimed.
“I simply adore T.J. and everything he brings to our company. Regretfully, T.J. is going to need time to heal, and I have no doubt that he will use every resource in this place to get well. Furthermore, given T.J.’s character as a player, I eagerly anticipate the day when we can get him back on track and prepared for an outstanding 2024 campaign.
Hockenson, the former Lion, is one year into a four-year, $66 million contract.
With six receptions for 960 yards, he will end the season with career-best numbers. He is also on pace to establish a new career high in receiving touchdowns.
Kevin O’Connell: DJ Wonnum is a Vikings “True Impact Player”
Wonnum was injured during the game’s fourth quarter. He clutched his knee right away, and in the face of a wave of encouragement from both sides, he gradually made his way to the cart and back to the locker room.
Wonnum’s adaptability was commended by O’Connell, who also remembered the moments they shared on the field with Marcus Davenport and Danielle Hunter with nostalgia. He did point out that those chances were constrained by injuries.
“To me, DJ Wonnum has been one of our real impact players this year. He’s made a lot of crucial plays that have helped us win a lot of football games and maintain our level of competitiveness,” O’Connell remarked. “DJ has been one of those guys, and his impact and growth have been invaluable to our team.”
Wonnum was chosen by Minnesota in the 2020 draft’s fourth round. With 8.0 sacks this season, the fourth-year player was on track to tie his own record that he set in 2021.
In addition, he has one score, one fumble recovery, and six passes deflected.
Wonnum, who is in the last year of his $4 million, four-year rookie contract, was predicted to be among the best edge defenders available in the upcoming offseason.
A number of other significant players’ statuses were also updated by O’Connell.
Vikings Trio ‘Questionable’ against Packers in Week 17
This week, Mekhi Blackmon and Jordan Addison will be somewhat more involved in day-to-day activities. Here from the beginning, both are feeling better and better,” O’Connell remarked. “We’ll see how they respond to their therapies and their rehabilitation, as well as how available they are during the week.” I’m not prepared to comment further than that they are both dubious for this week’s game.
With less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter, Addison left the game. He did a fantastic job standing in for Justin Jefferson during the latter’s multiple-week absence due to a hamstring injury. In the third quarter, Blackmon left the game in an attempt to stop a throw from Jared Goff to Kalif Raymond.
The Vikings selected Addison and Blackmon as their first two picks in this year’s draft. They were chosen with the 23rd and 102nd picks, respectively.
“My goal is to have Brian O’Neill back there,” O’Connell remarked. “He’ll get better throughout the week. He will also be dubious, and we should be able to sort through a few other guys as well.
O’Neill’s ankle ailment kept him out of commission for the last two weeks.
Notably, in those two games, the Vikings have managed their third and fourth-highest yard totals of the season. They even witnessed, in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ty Chandler record the first 100-yard game by a back this season.
There have been a lot of devastating losses this season. Undoubtedly, having one of the Week 1 starters return would provide much-needed momentum in the latter stages.
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