Report: T.J. Hockenson expected to play, Penei Sewell to be active vs. Vikings

It was a rough start of the week for the Detroit Lions when it came to injuries. Detroit lost their best defensive player, outside linebacker Romeo Okwara, for the year with an Achilles injury, and Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow was placed on injured reserve. However, as the team prepares for Sunday’s bout with the Minnesota Vikings, they did get a bit of good news on the injury front.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson, who missed Wednesday’s practice and has been slowly working his way back, is expected to play against the Vikings, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Hockenson suffered a knee injury during last week’s game against the Chicago Bears, but when he talked to the media on Friday, it certainly sounded like he was preparing to play.

“I’m sweating today a little bit,” Hockenson said. “I don’t know if that says anything. Obviously, a couple more days left, and we’ll see where it is on Sunday and just go from there. It is what it is. You never play in this game 100 percent, so it’s one of those things.”

Just in case Hockenson has a setback, the Lions did call up tight end Shane Zylstra from the practice squad on Saturday.

Additionally, the Lions may also have rookie tackle Penei Sewell available to play on Sunday. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Sewell will be ACTIVE on Sunday. To be clear, Rapoport does not specify that Sewell will play or start, but the assumption there is that he will be available. If Sewell doesn’t get the start, expect Will Holden to take over at left tackle with Matt Nelson staying at right tackle.

As for the Vikings, it looks like running back Dalvin Cook will be a game-time decision:

Official inactives for Lions vs. Vikings are announced approximately 90 minutes before kickoff.