TJ HOCKENSON

Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson will miss the rest of the season after undergoing thumb surgery, according to reports.

A new era of Detroit Lions football kicks off Friday at Ford Field. There’s another new GM and head coach, and Matthew Stafford won’t be starting at quarterback.

The Detroit Lions are in a good spot ahead of this year’s NFL Draft.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are now 3-5, and one of the many questions facing the team is the performance of the offense and play of quarterback Matthew Stafford. Stafford started the game well, but faded in the second half, throwing two interceptions as the Lions tried to come back against the Minnesota Vikings. Stafford -- and the Lions' offense as a whole -- has been inconsistent all year. After the game, Stafford called the interception a bad decision, saying, “I didn’t see (the linebacker), otherwise I wouldn’t have thrown it. Earlier in the game, Stafford had a streak of 16 straight completions.

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are 3-3 after back-to-back wins following their bye week. If the Lions do want to make a run to the playoffs, they need to let Matthew Stafford loose. Here are reasons the Lions need to let Matthew Stafford carry the offense if they want to make a playoff run. The Lions need Stafford to continue hitting on those deep throws, as their offense has been inconsistent this season. If the Lions are inconsistent in how they want to run, or can’t get much of a run game going, that’s even more reason to let Stafford carry the offense.

The Lions scored on three consecutive drives in the second half, each totaling at least eight plays and 3:56. Swift’s big day represents the first 100-yard game for the Lions in 13 months. Detroit wants to win by running the ball like this while playing bend but don’t break defense. The @Lions only allowed 44 rushing yards today. Column: What the Lions' win in Jacksonville meant.

He’s rostered in 74.7% of ESPN fantasy football leagues but starting in only 25.6% of Week 2 lineups. The first resulted in an 11-yard reception for Danny Amendola, with Hockenson opening up the middle of the field. Hockenson scored 14.1 points in ESPN standard PPR leagues last week and is projected for 7.2 for Sunday’s matchup with the Packers. Cephus will get his looks in Week 2 but expect Hockenson and Jones to cut into that more. He’s owned in 42.1% of ESPN leagues and starting in only 7.3%.

After a setting the record for most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in Week 1, TJ Hockenson has largely disappeared from the passing game. In Week 3 against Philadelphia, Hockenson had just one catch for one yard on four targets. The Lions run a play-action fake and Hockenson runs towards the corner before breaking his route towards the post. The Little thingsIn the run game, Hockenson seems to be doing an okay job of blocking. Fans will continually be watching the Lions run game as it doesnt seem to be clicking all the way just yet.