Detroit Lions rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker has been activated from off the Reserve/NFI list Tuesday afternoon, officially adding the standout college QB to the active roster. The Lions opened Hooker’s practice window on Nov. 29.
Hooker was one of the best quarterbacks in college football last year before tearing his ACL in the Tennessee Volunteers’ penultimate game of the regular season. Tennessee was 2 wins away from a high chance at a CFP berth but fell to South Carolina and lost Hooker for the year in one fell swoop.
To make room, the Detroit Lions waived kicker Riley Patterson, who was inactive for Week 15 against the Broncos by coach’s decision.
Hooker is a very interesting quarterback prospect from the 2023 draft. For one, he hasn’t played in over a year and is approaching 26 years old. For another, his dual threat ability and accuracy downfield could be just what the Detroit Lions need as its offense slows slightly heading into the final games of the regular season.
Plenty of Lions fans on social media will tell you Hooker should start as soon as possible. But in reality, that’s highly unlikely for this season barring a complete collapse from Goff. Or, injury. After all, Goff did just throw for 5 touchdowns in a nice bounce-back win over the previously surging Denver Broncos.
But let’s play devil’s advocate here, just for kicks. Hooker’s dual-threat ability could shine in an offense with Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Amon-Ra St. Brown, especially as the Lions’ O-line begins to get healthy once more.
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