Young Lions QB Leaves Preseason Opener with Injury

The Detroit Lions have been one of the highest risers over the past few years.

After finishing with a 3-13-1 record in 2021, they went all the way to the NFC Championship Game just two years later in 2023. A major reason behind that success has been the play of Jared Goff at the quarterback position.

Even still, the Lions decided to take a shot on a QB in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting Hendon Hooker with the 68th overall pick last spring.

Detroit headed to MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Giants in their preseason opener on Thursday night, and Hooker left the game with an injury, further souring Detroit’s 14-3 loss in the game.

Young Lions QB Leaves Preseason Opener with Injury

After Nate Sudfeld started the game and played the entirety of the first half, it appeared that the second half would belong to Hooker as he saw his first NFL action.

Instead, Hooker played just two drives before leaving the field after the end of the third quarter. The first of Hooker’s drives leading the Lions offense didn’t go anywhere as Detroit punted.

Hooker then began to show some of the promise that got him drafted in the first place on the second drive. The young QB converted two third downs, driving the Lions into the red zone.

Then, on a 2nd and Goal, Hooker scrambled towards the end zone where he took a heavy hit from linebacker Darrian Beavers. Hooker finished the drive with two incomplete passes on third and fourth downs to finish the third quarter, and then Sudfeld came back in to finish the game.

Of course, injuries have been a bit of a concern for Hooker throughout his young NFL career. The QB lost the final weeks of his last collegiate season at Tennessee due to a torn ACL, which likely cost him a chance at a Heisman Trophy as well as a potential College Football Playoff berth.

Luckily, Hooker’s first preseason appearance of his NFL career didn’t end with as severe an injury. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed following the game that the QB is in concussion protocol.

Ultimately, it is unclear if Hooker will be ready to go by the time the Lions take on the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs next Saturday, but hopefully, the quarterback is able to recover quickly from this latest injury.

Hooker finished his night completing five of nine passes for 36 yards while also four carries for 34 yards.