NEW ORLEANS — The Minnesota Vikings‘ injury-ravaged offense absorbed another blow Sunday when tight end T.J. Hockenson suffered a concussion on the second play of their game against the New Orleans Saints.
Hockenson’s head slammed into the turf at Caesars Superdome after catching a 7-yard pass just 38 seconds into the game. He remained on the ground for several minutes before jogging to the sideline and later the locker room for a concussion test.
The Vikings have already lost backup tight end Josh Oliver to a torn biceps muscle, leaving them to play the rest of Sunday’s game with two backups: Gavin Bartholomew and Ben Yurosek, who was just activated from injured reserve this weekend. Both players caught passes from Kyler Murray on the opening drive.
Minnesota had opened the game without three injured offensive starters: left tackle Christian Darrisaw (concussion), left guard Donovan Jackson (knee) and receiver Jordan Addison (hamstring). Running back Jordan Mason is on injured reserve for at least one more week because of a fractured thumb.
