Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson has cleared the concussion protocol according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press and he is expected to play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers.
Hockenson was injured during the team's Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs and used the bye week to get better and get out of the concussion protocol.
Earlier this week, Lions coach Matt Patricia said that since Hockenson was a rookie and hasn't been through the concussion protocol everyone had to be extra careful to see subtle differences in his behavior that could mean he was still dealing with concussion symptoms.
“I think just my own personal experience with those things, as you go through and you deal with players or when you’re playing or whether you’re coaching, you’re just trying to look for small subtleties. There might be situations where a guy looks good, he feels OK and all that stuff, but maybe you as a coach or you as a friend or you as a teammate start to see something that maybe is just a little bit different. You just try to be really aware.”
Getting Hockeson back is a big boost for a Lions offense that is going to need everyone performing at a high level to beat the Packers. Hockenson has caught 11 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns so far this season.
On defense, the Lions are going to be without defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand and former Packer Mike Daniels and that is going to leave the line short-handed.
Follow Us
Subscribe