Lions practice squad promotion is bad sign for T.J. Hockenson’s status vs. Vikings

The Detroit Lions made a practice squad move on Saturday, which feels like an ominous sign for the chances T.J. Hockenson plays on Sunday.

Among the injured Detroit Lions listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings is tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee). On Friday, ahead of the release of the official injury report, head coach Dan Campbell the team’s best pass catcher has “a chance” to play on Sunday after being limited in practice all week.

On Saturday, the Lions made a move that points to real doubt Hockenson will play.

The Lions elevated tight end Shane Zylstra from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game. The reaction was obvious.

Being elevated from the practice squad doesn’t mean Zylstra will be active on Sunday. But he gives the Lions another option at tight end, as their depth at the position gets thin quickly after Hockenson. Darren Fells was the only other tight end on the 53-man roster before Zylstra’s promotion.

Lions: How would Shane Zylstra help replace T.J. Hockenson?

Zylstra is the younger brother of Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon Zylstra. He played wide receiver in college at Minnesota State-Mankato, breaking many of Adam Thielen’s records along the way. After going undrafted in 2020 and not landing with an NFL team, he got a tryout with the Vikings this year and made it all the way to final 53-man roster cuts. Instead of signing back to the Vikings’ practice squad, he signed with the Lions.

Being a converted wide receiver, Zylstra (6-foot-5, 237 pounds) would likely step strictly into the pass-catching part of Hockenson’s role (and work primarily out of the slot?) if Hockenson is out Sunday. Fells (6-foot-7, 270 pounds) would likely become a nearly every snap player if Hockenson is out, with a nod to an in-line blocking role if rookie offensive tackle Penei Sewell (ankle) is out on Sunday. That latter role may come for Fells anyway, if Hockenson is active and Sewell isn’t.

Zylstra will be an even more interesting story if he is active on Sunday. There’s a chance he will be up even if Hockenson suits up, if only as insurance if the Lions’ No. 1 tight end gives it a go but has an in-game setback.