Hendon Hooker Expected to Start Practicing This Week
The Detroit Lions could have a new face on the practice field beginning this week in the form of rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker.
The Tennessee product has been rehabbing from a torn ACL since being drafted in the third round of April's Draft. Third-year coach Dan Campbell would not confirm when exactly the passer will begin, but implied that it could happen as soon as this week.
"I think we will. Brad and I talked about it last week, I just don't want to sit here and tell you and then we don't do it and I lied to you," Campbell explained. "That's all. I think we will, but we'll see."
Hooker, 25, has been on the non-football injury list for the duration of the season. By being on this list, he hasn't counted against the team's active roster. Once a player is activated from NFI, they cannot be returned to the list.
Activating him would allow the Lions to begin coaching him in practice, allowing the staff to evaluate him in reps as opposed to him being forced to watch from the sideline.
"By rules, we can't coach him, so that's why (Hooker would return). We can have him in meetings, but he can't be out there and going through any fundamental work," Campbell said. "He's just kinda gotta stand there. 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. It'd be nice to be able to just do some of those things with him, but that's why you've got to get him on the roster. Otherwise rules don't allow for him to do any of that."
Upon returning to practice, Hooker will have a 21-day window before the Lions must place him on the active roster.
Notes
1.) Campbell will revisit the Caesar's Superdome for the first time since departing the New Orleans Saints. He served as the team's tight ends coach for five seasons before leaving to become Detroit's head coach.
"I have a lot. Being a part of that team, I've won 40 games in there with those teams and the staff we were a part of," Campbell explained. "It's special, man, it's a little bit like going home so that's why I'm fired up to go back there. Because I know winning in that area, I know winning in that building. So that's why I'm excited."
2.) Former Lions assistant head coach and running backs coach Duce Staley was fired Monday by the Carolina Panthers along with multiple members of the coaching staff, including head coach Frank Reich.
Campbell said he hadn't contacted Staley, who worked with him for two seasons, prior to his press conference. He added that he "hates it" for his former assistant.
