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Hekker, a four-time first-team All-Pro, initially signed with the Vikings back in March, but was released during the team's final cuts.
EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings are bringing back veteran punter Johnny Hekker as Brett Thorson continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Hekker, a four-time first-team All-Pro, initially signed with the Vikings back in March, but was released during the team's final cuts. Instead, Minnesota went with Thorson, who is a rookie and is coming off a season where he won the 2025 Ray Guy Award for the nation's top collegiate punter. At Georgia, Thorson averaged 45.6 yards per punt, with a long of 75. Through two games, Thorson averaged 45.8 yards per punt and placed five of his 10 punts inside the 20-yard line.
On Monday, O'Connell said Thorson was being evaluated for a hamstring injury.
Hekker has averaged 46.8 yards per punt over his 14-year career, with 42.6 net yards per punt. During the preseason, Hekker averaged 48.2 yards per punt, with a long of 57 yards, while Thorson averaged 47.5 yards per punt with a long of 58.
The Vikings also announced Tuesday that running back Jaret Patterson was signed to the practice squad.
