Former Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker is in an important role for the Lions of their matchup against the Bears
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker hit the practice field last week for the first time as a member of the Detroit Lions. Hooker was sidelined to start the season while he recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in the Vols' loss to South Carolina near the end of the 2022 season. While Hooker, […]
Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker hit the practice field last week for the first time as a member of the Detroit Lions.
Hooker was sidelined to start the season while he recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in the Vols' loss to South Carolina near the end of the 2022 season.
While Hooker, a third round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, isn't expected to see game action for the Lions this week, he's still serving in an important role for the Lions ahead of their matchup against the Chicago Bears.
According to Lions quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell, Hooker is imitating Bears quarterback Justin Fields this week in an effort to get Detroit's defense ready to face the talented former Ohio State standout.
"I think he (Hooker) has to imitate Justin Fields this week and he's much better at that, I'm sure, than Teddy (Bridgewater) is," said Brunell this week. "It's great to have him on the field. He works hard and he's the young guy, so we give him a little grief. But we're so glad to have him out there, he's a talented kid. But really we've just had individual drills, he hasn't had a true rep yet. Even when he does some scout team, it'll be doing what the card says. But you've got to start somewhere. I think each week, he'll feel more and more comfortable. And he certainly is a talented kid."
Brunell acknowledged that Detroit won't be able to learn much about Hooker's abilities as he imitates Fields, but it's still an incredibly important role.
And Hooker, by the way, should be able to give the Lions' defense a great look. Fields' strengths are using his legs and throwing the deep ball — two things that Hooker excelled at while at Tennessee (though Hooker certainly has more strengths than just using his legs and throwing it deep — just watch the end of Tennessee's win against Alabama last season for evidence).
Hooker's NFL career hasn't gotten off to the start he envisioned, mostly because of the ACL injury he suffered last season, but he still has plenty of time to make a big impact in the NFL.
Former Tennessee Vols standout in line to make first career NFL start in this week’s biggest game
Could be a big day for the former Vol
