Both players are making returns from major knee injuries suffered in 2023. With the Vikings far exceeding expectations this season with an undefeated record through six weeks, there’s been no rush on Minnesota’s part to throw Hockenson out on the field as he draws closer to being back to 100%. He’ll enter an already crowded Vikings offense that features the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Aaron Jones, all of whom will likely provide stiff competition for targets from QB Sam Darnold. There’s a chance that Hockenson could suit up this weekend, but it’s too early in the week to know for sure. Fantasy managers should temper expectations regardless in Hockenson’s first start back (whether that be this weekend or sometime in the future) given that he’s had little time to build rapport with Darnold.
As for Brooks, his practice window is now officially open and he’s less than three weeks away from taking the field in the NFL for the first time in his career. With RB Chuba Hubbard also playing very well, Carolina is likewise not in a rush to trot Brooks out onto the field until he’s absolutely ready to go. He’ll profile as a potential low-RB2 with upside in his first action of the season, though it seems increasingly likely that he won’t have a real chance at dominating control of the backfield until next season, if at all.