TJ Hockenson finds full support and is ready to return

Hockenson's steps back onto the field were documented using player tracker technology.

Walking, jogging, running, starting, stopping, cutting, jumping (and of course landing).

Tyler Williams, the Vikings' vice president of player health and performance, and Matt Duhamel, associate head athletic trainer/rehab director, were among those who monitored Hockenson's progress without putting undue pressure on him to expedite his return.

“They didn’t do anything other than what was good for me and me as a person,” Hockenson said. “They were incredible. Matty is one of the best. Tyler is one of the best, not just here but in the league. It was an incredible process for me.”

Hockenson said O'Connell was “there every step of the way,” he can't say enough good things about Minnesota's health and performance staff, and he was happy to hear back from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and calls from Vikings owners.

Left foot, right foot, left, right, left.

Right foot, left foot, right, left, right.

If you do this often enough and increase to thousands of meters per day, your confidence will grow and your movements will feel natural again, even “stronger than ever.”

And perhaps even more appreciative than ever before.