Hendon Hooker Determined to 'Show Them That I Belong'

Hooker practiced for the first time on Wednesday.

Detroit Lions rookie Hendon Hooker could hardly wait for his first opportunity to officially practice with the team that made him a third-round draft pick. 

After spending the entire season rehabbing from a torn ACL injury suffered during his final season at Tennessee, he finally received the news that he was due to return to practice Wednesday, ahead of Detroit's Week 13 game against New Orleans.

As a result, the excitement was palpable for the rookie. He couldn't sleep Tuesday night, and was eagerly anticipating the opportunity to match up against Detroit's defense. 

"I couldn't sleep, I was too excited," Hooker explained. "But, just trying to calm myself down, everyone around me was really excited. So, I was just trying to be the calming piece." 

Now that he's back and can interact on the practice field with teammates, Hooker has his mind set on making the most of competitive reps against the Lions' defense. 

In beginning his 21-day return-to-play window, the Tennessee product can have as much as three weeks of strictly practice before the team must add him to the active roster.

With six games remaining, the rookie has an opportunity to make the most of his reps this season.  

"Just get better," Hooker stated. "And essentially get up there and compete against the defense and show them that I belong here."

While he was on the Non-Football Injury list, Hooker was allowed to sit in meetings, but couldn't participate in organized practice. This element of organization and structure within practices will bolster his development.

"Very valuable. Because before, I'm really going out there blind and just trying to go off either what I see or what I know from installs," Hooker said. "But, it's different when you're out there actually moving around and you have actual receivers, not just a standing target. It's fun just to get out there and run through the plays, communicate with the guys and ask them what they're seeing on the field." 

Hooker explained that there was some rust to shake off when he took the field Wednesday, as he hadn't thrown with shoulder pads on since suffering the injury.

Practice reps will also help with adapting to the Lions' system. While at Tennessee and Virginia Tech before that, Hooker operated offenses that were spread-heavy schemes. With the Lions, he'll be tasked with learning and directing a different brand of football.

Hooker was exclusively taking snaps out of the shotgun in college. Now that he can begin practicing, he's able accelerate his development within the scheme in a team setting, as opposed to individual work he was previously confined to.

"Just taking it day-by-day. Continuing to build my legs and continuing to build my mental in a positive direction to get back to a better me," Hooker explained. "And then, now that I'm here actually being able to go through practice and run through the plays and get under center and actually take some snaps, which has been a little bit foreign since I've been playing shotgun the past six years. It just feels good to actually be a baller again." 

Alex Anzalone Misses Wednesday Practice

Barrett, Bridgewater provide influence

Hooker has been able to participate in meetings while on the NFI list, which has allowed him to learn from the likes of Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater. 

Additionally, the rookie said that assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett has been a key influence on his return from injury. While at Ohio State as a player, Barrett suffered a fractured ankle during his redshirt freshman season. 

"He's been great, he's been great on and off the field," the rookie said. "Just talking to me about the steps that I'm taking to get back, because he's endured an injury as well, a couple of them. He knows exactly what I'm going through. He knows exactly the steps to take to get back your confidence and get back to the flow of things." 

Bridgewater, too, has suffered a significant injury during his NFL career. As a result, Hooker has a teammate who understands the struggle of returning from injury and someone who can empathize with his journey back to the field. 

"Meant a lot, meant a lot. He's been a great mentor to me," Hooker stated. "Another guy who has gone through the stages of being injured, to getting back into the rhythm of things. He's been a great mentor."