T.J. Hockenson's season began with visions of stardom. It has ended with an injured thumb.
The Lions' Pro Bowl tight end underwent thumb surgery Thursday morning and is done for the year, according to Adam Schefter. The expectation is for Hockenson to make a full recovery in time for the offseason program.
Hockenson had 61 catches for 583 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games, which put him on pace for career highs in the former two categories. He also had a career-high catch rate, but a career-low in yards per reception -- a reflection of the Lions' dink-and-dunk pass game. He leads the team in every major receiving category.
The hope this year was for Hockenson to break into the NFL's upper echelon of NFL tight ends. He was on his way through the first two weeks, but his rise was stunted by circumstance. Hockenson, it turned out, was Detroit's only weapon in the air. Didn't take long for opposing defenses to adjust.
Hockenson averaged 81.5 receiving yards and caught two touchdowns in his first two games. He averaged 42 receiving yards and caught two touchdowns from that point on. He remains one of the better tight ends in the game. But he'll have to wait another season to join the likes of Travis Kelce and George Kittle among the NFL's elite.
At the time of his injury, Hockenson was sixth among tight ends in targets, third in receptions, ninth in yards and tied for eighth in touchdowns. In yards per catch, he was tied for 31st. It will be paramount this offseason for Detroit to put some better players around him in the air.
In Hockenson's absence, the Lions will lean on backups Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra for the final four games of the season.