After spending more than a year recovering from a torn ACL, Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker faced another setback in his NFL journey.
Hooker, who missed his rookie season due to his injury, finally took the field during the Lions’ preseason opener against the New York Giants on August 8. Although he showed potential in his debut, completing a few promising plays, Hooker had to leave the game early due to a concussion.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed after the game that Hooker had entered the concussion protocol, leaving his return date uncertain.
“He’s in the protocol. He’ll be evaluated, and we don’t know how long he’ll be out,” Campbell stated. “He got his bell rung. We hoped for more time with him, but that’s football. I think it happened during one of his runs.”
Hooker, known for his mobility, had four carries for 34 yards in the game but took some significant hits, including a moment where he aggressively lowered his shoulder into a Giants defender.
Campbell expressed concern over Hooker’s play style, cautioning him about the risks associated with running as a quarterback.
“That’s what happens when you run in this league, especially as a quarterback,” Campbell explained. “You have to be selective. If you use your legs, it can get you out of trouble, but it also exposes you to more hits. He needs to learn to slide and protect himself.”
Hooker is expected to be the Lions’ backup quarterback behind Jared Goff this season, and his progress in early practices had been praised before the injury.
The Lions’ preseason opener was also marred by other injuries. Defensive lineman David Bada sustained an Achilles injury, which is believed to be a long-term issue. Additionally, offensive lineman Connor Galvin suffered a torn MCL, which will require season-ending surgery.
The Lions’ offensive line has already been dealing with significant injuries, with guard Netane Muti placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury earlier in August. The team signed Jake Burton from the UFL’s Michigan Panthers to address these losses.
