Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson took a big shot to the ribs during last Sunday's win over the Falcons, but it wasn't going to keep him off the field. He battled through the pain, remained on the field, and wound up leading the Vikings in receptions in their dramatic comeback victory.
"It was tough," Hockenson said of the pain he was dealing with. "It was tough for sure. That's just something about me, I won't go off the field unless someone's making me. I'll never leave my teammates in a certain situation without me being able to be on the field unless I can't (play), physically. Grinded through it and we'll be alright."
Hockenson, who caught seven passes for 69 yards in Atlanta, leads the Vikings in targets (80) and receptions (60) this season, by a fairly wide margin. Justin Jefferson got off to an incredible start before getting hurt and Jordan Addison has stepped up in Jefferson's absence, but Hockenson (along with K.J. Osborn) has been a constant in the passing game.
He's still dealing with rib pain this week, which has kept him to limited participation in practice, but he fully intends on being out there against the Saints this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"That's the plan," he said. "I'm going through the week and we'll see. Obviously, there's pain, but it is what it is. I'm gonna be out there for these guys, for this team, for this locker room. I'm just excited to be back on the field."
"I can play through a lot," Hockenson added. I feel like I have a higher pain threshold. ... It's all good. No worries from my side of it."
Hockenson leads all tight ends in catches this season and trails only Travis Kelce in yardage at the position.
More must-reads: