In a dramatic return to the field, Detroit Lions backup quarterback Hendon Hooker made his long-awaited comeback after a 21-month hiatus due to an ACL tear suffered while at Tennessee. The stage was set for his preseason debut, but it was cut short after just 19 plays.
“After such a lengthy absence, it’s disheartening to see Hooker exit the game early,” expressed coach Dan Campbell in the aftermath of the Lions’ 14-3 preseason loss in New York. “It appears he suffered a concussion and is currently in the protocol awaiting further evaluation. It’s uncertain how long he will be out. He definitely took quite a hit out there. We were hoping for more playing time with him, but unfortunately, that’s the nature of the game. It looked like one of his runs was the cause.”
Despite the abrupt end to his outing, Hooker injected a spark into the Lions’ offense as he took the reins from the lackluster performance of veteran Nate Sudfeld in the second half. Completing 5 of 9 passes for 36 yards, Hooker also showcased his mobility with four rushes for 34 yards. His fearless style of play was evident when he bulldozed over a safety on one of his rushing attempts, injecting a sense of energy into the rain-soaked game at MetLife Stadium.
As the Lions look ahead to their upcoming games, the status of Hendon Hooker remains uncertain. However, his brief but impactful performance has left a lasting impression on both teammates and fans alike. Here’s to hoping for a speedy recovery for the resilient quarterback as he looks to make a triumphant return to the field once again.
