TJ Hockenson drags Vikings offense along with him in win over Dolphins PIC 1
VIKINGS/HOCKENSON: Minnesota Vikings tight end TJ Hockenson (87) runs the ball past Miami Dolphins inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks (20) in the second quarter Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune/TNS
When Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson dragged Miami Dolphins cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. across midfield during a 14-yard catch and run, he might as well have been dragging Minnesota’s struggling offense along with him.
Hockenson’s 10th of 13 catches - tying his single-game career high from 2022 - converted a critical third down for the Vikings offense. The drive eventually produced a needed three-point cushion and churned 8 minutes and 30 seconds off the clock at the end of Sunday’s 15-10 win over the 0-4 Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings are 4-0. The offense produced a season-high 337 yards with Hockenson eschewing a touchdown and sliding on his 13th and final catch to help run out the clock.
But the Vikings offense, in particular, needed to fight through another slog.
Hockenson’s 13 catches for 119 yards formed one of the only consistent parts of an offense that sustained injuries in addition to self-inflicted wounds. Quarterback Kyler Murray eventually came to life in the second half, completing 16 of 18 passes for 135 yards (10 of those passes completed to Hockenson).
Murray had completed just 11 of 19 throws for 112 yards and took three sacks before halftime.
Left guard Donovan Jackson exited in the first quarter with a knee injury.
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw surrendered a third-down sack before leaving with a neck injury. Darrisaw returned, but left again to be evaluated for a concussion.
Murray’s longest completion didn’t come until four minutes left in the game: a 27-yard catch and run by receiver Jordan Addison. Murray’s previous long, a 21-yard strike to Addison over the middle, was called back because receiver Jauan Jennings lined up incorrectly before the snap, leading to an illegal formation penalty.
Overall, the offense was responsible for 7 of 11 penalties on the team. Five of those penalties came before halftime.
The offense ended a nearly 10-quarter drought between snaps in the opponent’s red zone when they got inside the Dolphins’ 20-yard line just before halftime.