ALLEN PARK, Mich. — T.J. Hockenson clearly knew something we didn’t.
Speaking in the locker room last Thursday after his third game of minimal production to start the season, Hockenson assured reporters he wasn’t concerned about his low usage. Hockenson said that he was not frustrated by the team’s low production or his own personal numbers. He is an even-keeled guy in almost any situation. It wasn’t surprising to see him do it again here.
“I’ve just been trying to stay calm in that instance and make sure that I’m ready to go when my number’s called,” Hockenson said. “And it’ll come. I’m not worried about that.”
It turned out that there wasn’t any reason to. Hockenson was the man against the odds Sunday. Seahawks. With the LionsIt is down Amon-Ra St. Brown, D’Andre Swift DJ Chark, Hockenson exploded for easily his best game of the season — the best game of his career, even, when you break down the numbers. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Hockenson had eight catches totaling 179 yards and two touchdowns. Hockenson’s career-high 179 yards was a record and a franchise record for tight ends receiving yards. It also more than doubled his total season (82). Jim Gibbons holds the previous single game record. It dates back to 1964.
