Vikings to Open T.J. Hockenson’s Practice Window

O’Connell was asked about the selection of Friday, and O’Connell explained Minnesota wanted to open the window with having a game against Detroit on Oct. 20 in Week 7 and at the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 24 in Week 8.

“Friday gives us 21 days, and 21 days from then gives us the bye weekend, two football games with us playing on Thursday, the second week after the bye,” O’Connell said. “So that gives us some flexibility at 20 days to have him either ready to go, see where he’s at and his availability for the Lions game, and then, like I said, we have the flexibility for the following [week].

“He’s done a great job. He feels great, but we’ve got to get him acclimated back to football, so that’s kind of the plan,” O’Connell added. “I probably won’t be giving many daily updates on the ‘when,’ as far as his game-day activation, but it’s just going to be great to have him back on the grass with the guys. I know he’s been really looking forward to it.”