Hendon Hooker makes Detroit Lions debut in NFL preseason: Stats in first game since Tennessee injury

Hendon Hooker is back on the football field.

The former Tennessee football star quarterback made his first appearance on the field since suffering a torn ACL on November 19, 2022, during a 63-28 loss to South Carolina. Hooker, who had been firmly in the Heisman Trophy award race at the time of his injury, was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He ended up “redshirting” his rookie season.

REQUIRED READING: Playoff contender or pretender? Examining the case for SEC’s nine ranked teams | Toppmeyer

Hooker made his first NFL appearance against the New York Giants on Thursday at Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in the first preseason action for the Lions. According to the first unofficial depth chart, the 26-year-old is listed as the third-string quarterback, with Jared Goff firmly entrenched as the starter. He is competing with backup Nate Sudfield ― who earned the start ― for the backup role.

Hooker was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after completing 229-of-329 passes (69.6%) for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions while also adding 104 rushes for 430 yards and five touchdowns, as he led the Vols to a 9-2 record in 11 games.

Is Hendon Hooker playing tonight?

Hooker made his NFL debut and his first football game action since suffering an ACL tear against South Carolina on Nov. 19, 2022, vs. South Carolina.

On his first drive, Hooker rushed twice for 12 yards and completed his lone pass for a yard, a completion to running back Zonovan Knight.

On his second drive, Hooker converted a pair of third downs: a 3rd and 5th conversion on a pass to Isaiah Williams and a 3rd and 8th completion to Parker Hess, despite being hit late by New York’s Benton Whitley. He also added a 16-yard scramble where he broke a tackle and showed off the health of his knee.

Hooker got Detroit in the red zone but was held out of the end zone despite a 14-play, 88-yard drive ending on a turnover on downs on the Giants’ three-yard line on his second NFL drive.

Hendon Hooker injury

Hooker suffered a non-contact injury against the Gamecocks in the fourth quarter of the late November SEC matchup. The injury occurred on an option play where his leg appeared to get caught in the turf at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

Hendon Hooker stats

In his first NFL action, Hooker completed two drives, with one ending in a punt and another on turnover on downs in the red zone. He went 5-for-9 passing for 36 yards and added four rushes for 34 yards. His longest pass was a 13-yard completion on third down to Williams. His longest rush was a 16-yard scramble for a first down, on which he broke a tackle.