Lions TE T.J. Hockenson is questionable to play against the Washington Football Team, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Not what fantasy players want to see since the tight end position is a cesspool. If Hockenson misses Sunday, Jesse James would get targets, for what it is worth.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said last week that the next steps for T.J. Hockenson — how the second-year tight end could earn a bigger share of the passing attack — were “to continue to gain some separation and kind of come through with some big plays for us.”

The story said Hockenson has checked both those boxes. It added ahead of the Monday night game, here are the players who created more separation on their targets in Week 7, per Next Gen Stats: Deebo Samuel, 49ers (7.0 yards), Evan Engram, Giants (5.2 yards), Christian Kirk, Cardinals (5.1 yards). Hockenson checked in next at 5.0, matching Seattle’s D.K. Metcalf, Carolina’s Curtis Samuel and Atlanta tight end Hayden Hurst. The story added it was a big jump from previous weeks for Hockenson.

Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com conducted his Friday mailbag column and was asked about the Lions featuring TE T.J. Hockenson this week. "T.J. Hockenson has at least four receptions and 50 receiving yards in each of Detroit's first three contests," wrote Twentyman.

"... New Orleans has struggled defending the tight end this season. They've given up 29 catches for 200 yards and four touchdowns in three games to opposing tight ends. I'd expect Hockenson, (Jesse) James and potentially Hunter Bryant, who returned to practice this week, to be a big part of the offense this week. This is a copycat league, and teams will exploit you until you prove you can stop it."

Hockenson's floor has been zero more often than not over his career, but 2020 has shown a higher floor with a lower ceiling. Hockenson has to step up this week because the Saints do have imposing cornerbacks on the outside and could shut down Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones. The second-year tight end should be a TE1 in what has been another down year for the position.

Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press wrote Friday about the visible chemistry between Lions QB Matthew Stafford and TE T.J. Hockenson after nearly a year away from their last game action with each other. "Sure, they had gotten some practice during training camp and offseason workouts that Stafford organized," wrote Monarrez. "But no one knew how good their chemistry would be in the season opener, given the major irregularities of the offseason."

“Yeah it was good,” Stafford said Wednesday of his chemistry with Hockenson. “Coach did a nice job drawing up some play to get him some chances and he capitalized on them. His touchdown, he’s probably the most-covered guy on the field. I jammed it in there to him, but it was a nice catch. I was happy for him.”

Stafford and Hockenson opened 2019 with a bang before Hockenson disappeared from the fantasy landscape and Stafford was lost for the season. 2020 started off well and should continue, especially if WR Kenny Golladay continues to miss time. Hockenson will see plenty of extra coverage this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, but is firmly in the TE1 conversation.