Lions TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) did not practice Wednesday.

Not ideal considering Hockenson is the focal point of the Lions passing game. Hockenson has two days to log practice time ahead of their matchup against the Minnesota Vikimgs.

The Jared Goff, T.J. Hockenson connection looks ready.

The tweet went on to say the two worked on routes off to the side Tuesday. It was just them. In the 11-on-11 sessions, Goff repeatedly found his Hockenson, both over the middle and on out routes. Right now, Hockenson's the guy Goff seems to trust most in a tight window. It's not the first time we've the two had a connection. We have Hockenson ranked sixth among our TEs this season.

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.