In the trade, Detroit gets a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick, while Minnesota acquires Hockenson along with a 2023 fourth-round pick and a 2024 conditional draft pick.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Irv Smith, the Vikings current starting tight end, is expected to miss multiple weeks with a high-ankle sprain suffered in Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals.
The in-division trade further boosts a Vikings team that sits at 6-1 in the NFC North, well ahead of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, who are both 3-5. The Lions sit last in the division at 1-6.