After spending the first two seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions, and parts of last season with the Carolina Panthers and New York Jets, former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker landed with the Tennessee Titans earlier this offseason.

Hooker, who turned 28 in January, has only thrown nine passes in the NFL. At this point, he’s just trying to lock down a backup role with a team after entering the league with his eye on a starting job.

Unfortunately for the former Vol, it doesn’t sound like a backup role is in his future with the Titans.

While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Titans head coach Robert Saleh didn’t even mention Hooker while discussing who will serve as the No. 2 quarterback behind starter Cam Ward.

Instead, Saleh only mentioned Will Levis and Mitch Trubisky.

“Cam’s our quarterback,” said Saleh. “We’re rolling with Cam. We’ll give Will (Levis) every opportunity, too. Him and (Mitch) Trubisky [will be] working for that No. 2 spot.”

That certainly doesn’t sound encouraging for Hooker.

Now, it’s always possible that Hooker could have a tremendous training camp and force his way into the backup role. But the fact that the head coach didn’t even mention Hooker’s name while discussing the backup job probably doesn’t bode well for his chances.

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Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel noted earlier this spring that Hooker just needs to be in the right place at the time.

“Absolutely there’s upside for Hendon,” said Heupel in April. “Coming off a knee injury, coaching changes, whatever it might be, you’ve got to be in the right place at the right time with the right people.

“His college career, I think, is a great example of that for him. And a guy that continues to work and compete. And he’s got an opportunity here with the Titans, and I’m excited to see him go take advantage of that.”

Maybe Nashville just isn’t the right place at the right time for Hooker.