Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson suffered a significant knee injury when he tore both the MCL and ACL in his knee during the team's Week 16 game against the Detroit Lions. It was seemingly a foregone conclusion that Hockenson would miss some time in the 2024 season, but the question was just how long?

Despite numerous reports suggesting that Hockenson is ahead of schedule in his recovery, it's still almost certain that the talented tight end will miss at least the first few weeks of the season. One ESPN reporter recently suggested that the team could plan on keeping Hockenson "on the shelf", so to speak, until early November -- a few weeks after the team's bye.

In his latest training camp notes report, ESPN reporter Dan Graziano said that he's heard reports of anywhere between three and seven games missed for the recovering tight end. Graziano does point out that the team expects to have Hockenson back during the first half of the season, then suggests that "the most expansive estimate would keep him out until early November."

The Vikings have their bye week scheduled for Week 6, which is in early October. If Hockenson were to be ready for action after the bye, his return would come on October 20th, in the team's first of two matchups against the squad Hockenson suffered the initial injury against, the Lions.

However, if the early November timeline ultimately plays out, Hockenson could play his first game in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: ESPN reporter suggests T.J. Hockenson may be out until early November