Lions Pro Bowl TE T.J. Hockenson has season-ending thumb surgery

As Justin Rogers wrote for the Detroit News, Detroit Lions Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson was ruled out of what became last Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos because of a hand injury that kept him out of previous practice sessions. 

There's now more information about that setback. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Hockenson underwent thumb surgery Thursday morning and will be shut down through the remainder of the regular season that ends Jan. 9. Specialist Dr. Thomas Graham performed the procedure. 

Hockenson, a 2019 first-round draft pick selected to his first Pro Bowl squad last year, is on track to fully recover from this setback by the start of the offseason program.

Per ESPN stats, Hockenson heads to the sidelines leading a lackluster Detroit offense with 61 receptions, 84 targets, 583 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. The Lions will have to make a decision this offseason on the fifth-year option attached to his rookie contract, although the only real question remaining about that subject is if Detroit will offer him a lucrative and deserved extension before the 2022 campaign kicks off next September.