Some not-so-great news for Brian Flores and company
Most fans of the Minnesota Vikings have been anticipating tight end T.J. Hockenson starting this year’s Training Camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List after the knee injury he suffered near the end of last season. Unfortunately, it seems that he could potentially have some company there in the form of one of the team’s offseason additions.
According to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is still rehabbing from an injury that he suffered near the end of last season while playing for the Miami Dolphins and didn’t participate in any of the team drills during the team’s mandatory minicamp.
Both Hockenson and Van Ginkel jogged on ancillary practice fields during mandatory minicamp at the TCO Performance Center. Hockenson is rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL, suffered in Week 16, while Van Ginkel is returning from a Lisfranc foot injury, which occurred in January.
O’Connell has been open about both players. The Vikings don’t want to rush either player back, and they’d prefer a longer span of health over a quicker return. The early portions of training camp should provide indications as to whether either player could end up on the PUP list.
Obviously the long-term health of both Hockenson and Van Ginkel is paramount, and starting camp on the PUP List isn’t written in stone or anything yet. However, it is something to potentially consider as we’re now three weeks away from players reporting to the Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center for the start of camp.
To review, if a team places a player on the PUP List, they are prohibited from participating in any team drills or anything of that nature. They can do rehab work off to the side but can’t actually practice with the team. Should a player’s time on the PUP List carry over into the regular season, league rules mandate that they miss the first four games of the year. I think a lot of people are expecting that for Hockenson at this point but hopefully Van Ginkel’s rehab is progressing to the point where he’ll at least be able to start the regular season on the active roster.
The injury to Van Ginkel could, potentially, open up greater opportunities for first-round pick Dallas Turner opposite free agent signee Jonathan Greenard. It would also give the Vikings an opportunity to get a look at other edge players during camp such as second-year man Andre Carter II and undrafted free agent Gabriel Murphy.
If any more word comes down on Andrew Van Ginkel’s rehab we will pass it to you whenever we receive it.
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