T.J. Hockenson not planning to stop hurdling despite concussion

If you expected Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson to alter the way he plays the game after suffering a concussion in Week 4 against the Kansas City Chiefs, then you don’t know the rookie all that well.

In that game, Hockenson attempted to hurdle Chiefs linebacker Damien Wilson, but the defender got a piece of Hockenson, causing the Lions tight end to lose his balance midair and come down hard on his shoulder and head. He laid motionless for several moments and was carted off before being diagnosed with a concussion.

But despite the error in judgment in that moment, Hockenson said his hurdling days are not over.

“Nah, I’m going to go out there and play the game,” he said in his first media session since the injury. “I’m not worried about anything else, I’m just going to go out there and play the game. Whether that opportunity (to hurdle) presents itself or not, I’m not going to change anything based on one thing.”

Hockenson said that concussion was the first of his football career, and despite what looked to be a serious injury at the time, he was actually surprised by how mild the symptoms were for him.

“I was actually pleasantly surprised,” Hockenson said. “I was back to normal in a couple of hours, so it wasn’t crazy.”

After the bye week, Hockenson returned to play against the Packers on Sunday and said he felt fine during and after the game and he credits the Lions medical staff for taking all of the right steps in ensuring his health.