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After practice on Monday afternoon, Minnesota Vikings head coach T.J. Hockenson spoke with Vikings Wire’s Judd Zulgad and asked him about his return. This was Hockenson’s answer.
“We’re just taking it day by day. Obviously I want to be out there with the boys so it just all depends.”
As any good reporter should, Zulgad dug deeper and asked specifically about his contract and if him not practicing was about the contract.
“No, that’s not my focus,” Hockenson replied. “My focus is to be out here with these guys September 9th or whatever it is (week 1 is September 10th), be ready for September and be ready for gameday on Sundays.”
As far as talks progressing, Hockenson stated that he “doesn’t really know” and he “keeps that between Neil (his agent) and the guys upstairs.”
There has been speculation on whether or not he was holding in and Hockenson had a chance to completely squash it with his answer. He didn’t, instead giving an answer that was ambiguous.
The good news is that Hockenson the balance from his ear infection was improving and the plan is for him to be ready by week one.
Time will tell how this story evolves, but it could have been squashed quickly.