How many yards do you think Hockenson will have in his rookie year?" />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhitePride Of Detroita Detroit Lions communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsLibraryLionsOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Lions NewsDetroit Lions NotesDetroit Lions AnalysisDetroit Lions TransactionsDetroit Lions Game RecapsFiled under:Detroit Lions AnalysisNFL Open ThreadsWednesday open thread: What are realistic expectations for T.J. Hockenson’s rookie year? New Taylor Decker Jersey ,84commentsHow many yards do you think Hockenson will have in his rookie year? EDTShareTweetShareShareWednesday open thread: What are realistic expectations for T.J. Hockenson’s rookie year? Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesThe Detroit Lions made a very clear offseason investment in the tight end position. After an extremely poor year from the Lions tight ends in 2018, Lions general manager Bob Quinn made sure he was not going to make the same mistake twice. At first, it seemed like their main addition to the position was former Steelers tight end Jesse James. Quinn handed him a hefty contract that showed he expected James to be an immediate contributor and play at a higher level than he’s ever played at in the NFL.But Quinn really shoved all of his chips in when he selected Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. While the transition can be slow from the NCAA to the NFL, the fact that Quinn used such high draft capital on Hockenson suggests he expects significant contributions in his rookie year. So today’s Question of the Day is:What are realistic statistics for T.J. Hockenson’s rookie year?My answer: Well Graham Glasgow Jersey , before I give my answer, let’s put this into context. Kyle Meinke of MLive put together the rookie performances of the last 20 first-round tight ends: The best performance came in 2002 from Jeremy Shockey: 74 catches, 894 yards and two touchdowns. Only Evan Engram came close to Shockey’s phenomenal rookie year, pulling in 722 yards and six touchdown. Of those past 20 first-round tight ends Color Rush Travis Fulgham Jersey , only two were drafted higher than Hockenson: Vernon Davis and Kellen Winslow Jr. Unfortunately, both players had injury-shortened rookie seasons, limiting their output in their first years. Davis has gone on to have a great career, while Winslow busted due to injuries and off-field mistakes.We must also consider that Hockenson will not just play a role as a receiver Cheap Travis Fulgham Jersey , but as a valued member of the team’s blocking brigade. There’s no doubt that much of reason Hockenson was so desired by the Lions was his ability to handle himself as a run blocker and pass protector. So if we’re just talking his receiving output, I would predict something like a modest 35-catch, 450-yard rookie season. Your turn.Detroit Lions - Dallas Cowboys Wednesday injury report Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah missed the team’s opening practice of the week Wednesday. He was one of four Lions listed on the team’s injury report in the afternoon.Ansah missed last weekend’s contest with the New England Patriots and has only played in the season opener so far this year. There is currently no timetable for his return and it seems that there are slim chances that he suits up against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend. Michael Roberts, who was scratched for the Patriots game as well Travis Fulgham Jersey Womens , missed practice with a knee injury. It is unsure what the severity of the injury is but it popped up late in last week’s injury report, and obviously held him out of Sunday’s game.Guard T.J. Lang is still struggling with the back injury that cost him the Week 2 game against the 49ers. It is a separate injury from the one that cost him the entire 2018 preseason. He played in every single offensive snap against the Patriots last weekend and unless he has a set back it is expected for him to fully participate against the Cowboys in the coming week. Fellow offensive lineman Andrew Donnal was also limited in practice. While the injuries to Ansah and Lang hurt the team overall the Lions are a relatively healthy team 3 weeks into the season. None of their major contributors on offense are expected to miss this weekends game and the defense has done a great job filling in for Ansah’s absence the past two weeks. Lions injury report:OT Andrew Donnal (knee) - Limited practiceDE Ezekiel Ansah (shoulder) - No practiceG T.J. Lang (back) - Limited practiceTE Michael Roberts (knee) - No practiceCowboys injury reportDT Maliek Collins (knee) - No practiceC Travis Frederick (illness) - No practiceLB Sean Lee (hamstring) - No practiceWR Cole Beasley (ankle) - Limited practiceS Jeff Heath (ankle) - Limited practiceDT Antwaun Woods (groin) - Limited practiceDE DeMarcus Lawrence (shoulder) - Full practiceS Xavier Woods (hamstring) - Full practice