T.J. Hockenson says he’ll be ready for all his offseason work

After his season was shortened by a thumb injury, Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson is getting healthy in plenty of time to put in a full offseason.

A thumb injury cost Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson the final five games of the 2021 season, as he opted for surgery ahead of Week 15. He still had a solid (if up and down) season, finishing with 61 receptions (third on the team) for 583 yards and four touchdowns in his 12 games.

On Monday, the day after the season ended, Hockenson was one of many Lions players to speak to the media. He offered an optimistic update on his injury recovery.

“I’m good. It’s day-by-day, week-by-week. I’m almost there already and it’s only been a few weeks. Just a few more left and I’ll be 100 percent by the offseason.”

There’s was never much doubt Hockenson would be ready to go in plenty of time for offseason work with the Lions. But that’s only a part of his offseason workouts now.

T.J. Hockenson lined up to be full-go for all his offseason work

Last year, Hockenson took part in “Tight End University”, a gathering of several NFL tight ends in Nashville put together by George Kittle, Travis Kelce and Greg Olsen. The Lions’ tight end also won the first “TEU Championship Belt”.

Hockenson confirmed he will be “more than ready” to attend the event, which took place in late-June last year, again this offseason.

“Obviously, I’m going to work out down in Nashville,” Hockenson said. “George (Kittle) and all those guys. Me going down there, I think every year I continue to get better. This year at the beginning of the year, that was the best I ever felt, best football that I thought I was playing. So, obviously, I’m just going to continue on that, continue to build.”

Hockenson will again be a key piece of the Lions offense in 2022, and likely well beyond as the teams surely picks up his fifth-year option and at least starts to consider a contract extension for him this offseason.