GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 08: Tight end T.J. Hockenson #88 of the Detroit Lions celebrates his touchdown catch against the Arizona Cardinals with teammate Danny Amendola #80 during the second half of the NFL football game at State Farm Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona.

Lions' Hockenson sets TE record for receiving yards in an NFL debut

Karan Gill
Ralph Freso / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson set an NFL record in his pro debut Sunday.

The 22-year-old finished with 131 receiving yards against the Arizona Cardinals, the most for any tight end in a league debut in NFL history, according to ESPN's Field Yates.

The Iowa product also caught six of his nine targets as the Lions tied the Cardinals 27-27.

Hockenson achieved the feat while catching his first career touchdown on a 23-yard pass from Matthew Stafford in the fourth quarter.

Monty Stickles set the previous high of 123 receiving yards by a debuting tight end in 1960.

The Lions selected Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in the 2019 draft.

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