Lions HC Dan Campbell reveals when former Vols QB Hendon Hooker could see the field in the NFL
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker is hoping to be 100 percent healthy this fall. Hooker, a third-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in Tennessee's road loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks last November. The former Vols standout told USA Today […]
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker is hoping to be 100 percent healthy this fall.
Hooker, a third-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in Tennessee's road loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks last November.
The former Vols standout told USA Today ahead of last month's draft that he expects to be cleared by September 1.
Despite the fact that Hooker says he'll be good to go in 2023, the Lions aren't planning to use the 2022 SEC offensive player of the year during his rookie season.
Instead, Hooker will "redshirt" as a rookie this upcoming season.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently appeared on the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast and he gave some insight on how Detroit plans to use Hooker.
“This is a redshirt year for him,” said Campbell. “He’s gotta get this leg right first, and then he’ll learn under Jared. And then let’s see what happens.”
“If he can eventually become your 2, or maybe down the road, later on, it’s more than that,” added Campbell. “But it’s going to be a long time.”
Campbell's comments would seem to indicate that Nate Sudfeld will at least begin the season as the Lions' primary backup quarterback. Which means fans probably shouldn't expect to see Hooker play at all in 2023 unless it's late in the season and the team's situation dictates that Hooker see the field.
As for Campbell's comments about Hooker being a No. 2 or more than that down the road, it's important to remember that Detroit still has a starting quarterback in Jared Goff. And there's a possibility that Goff could remain with the Lions beyond 2024 when his contract is set to expire. Lions GM Brad Holmes told reporters earlier this month that Detroit's had dialogue with Goff's agent on a potential extension.
Campbell is simply not giving a potential quarterback controversy any fuel. And he's not putting high expectations on Hooker. Of course the Lions are hoping Hooker can become a franchise quarterback. But they'll just have to wait to see how the former Vol develops before making any sort of longterm declarations about his role in Detroit.
