Getty Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker practiced on November 29 after the team opened his 21-day return window.
Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions indicated that rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker would return from injured reserve before the end of the season. On November 29, the rookie signal caller took another step closer to making that happen.
Hooker fully practiced in the NFL for the first time, as the Lions opened his 21-day return window. The 25-year-old told reporters afterwards that he was so excited to get back on the field that he couldn’t sleep the night prior.
“It was a blast. It was a blast,” Hooker said of the practice to reporters. “Just to get back out there with the guys, compete. That’s what it’s about — competing and winning ball games.
“It just feels good to actually be a baller again.”
Hooker suffered a torn left ACL and meniscus while playing college football for Tennessee on November 19, 2022. He has spent the entire season on the non-football injury list.
QB Hendon Hooker Returns to Lions Practice Field
Hooker has been participating in individual workouts. But he couldn’t practice with receivers or coaches prior to November 29.
The rookie quarterback spoke about that difference following his first practice.
“It’s different when you’re out there actually moving around and you have actual receivers, not just a standing target,” Hooker told reporters. “It’s fun just to get out there, run through the plays and communicate with the guys and ask them what they’re seeing on the field.”
Hooker was experiencing a strong senior season before suffering his injury in a game against South Carolina. In 11 games during his final college season, Hooker posted a 69.6% completion percentage and 9.5 yards per attempt with 27 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
Over his last 24 college games, Hooker averaged 9.6 yards per pass with 58 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions.
The Lions drafted Hooker at No. 68 overall in the third round of the 2023 NFL draft.
Expectations for Hooker the Rest of the 2023 Season
Behind quarterbacks Jared Goff and veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater, Hooker is not expected to see game action. But Campbell stressed on November 27 that it’s still important Hooker returned to practice.
“Yeah, by rule we can’t coach him, so that’s why,” Campbell said of Hooker if he remained on the non-football injury list. “I mean we can’t – we can have him in meetings, but he can’t be out there and going through any fundamental work. You’ve just got to kind of stand there.
“So, that’s where it helps, to be able to actually do individual work with him, have him take a snap. That’s why it’s big.”
That work could be vital to his development. Hooker described being under center “foreign” to him coming from a shotgun college offense. He also said he needs to get re-accustomed to throwing while wearing shoulder pads.
When asked about his goals for the remainder of the season, Hooker kept it simple. He said he wants to prove to the Lions defense that he belongs.
“I just want to get better. Every day, 1%. Continue to stay in my playbook, continue to ask questions and get better.”