AUGUST 28: Hooker will indeed begin the 2023 season on the NFI list, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports. That will force the first-year passer to miss the first four games of the season, though as noted below, that was likely to happen regardless of his roster status. In light of Sudfeld’s ACL tear, it is fair to wonder if Detroit will scour the market for another signal-caller, or if the team will keep rookie UDFA Adrian Martinez as its QB3.
AUGUST 21: The Lions added Jared Goff insurance earlier this month with the signing of Teddy Bridgewater, but questions still surround their quarterback depth chart. How Detroit proceeds at the position will depend in large part on the recovery made by third-round rookie Hendon Hooker. 
The latter is currently on the non-football injury list as he continues to recover from the ACL tear which ended his college career. That was the expected move to open training camp, but an important decision will need to be made as roster cutdowns loom. Teams will be required to trim their 90-man squads to 53 by August 29, though players with an NFI designation do not count toward the total.
Players who begin the season on the NFI list are required to miss at least the first four games of the season, something which will likely happen in any event in Hooker’s case. The Tennessee product has said, on the other hand, that he is ahead of schedule in his rehab. That process has involved individual drills conducted after training camp practices, giving the team opportunities to track his progress. Depending on how much further along his recovery is by next week, Detroit could elect to not only start the season with Hooker on the NFI list, but keep him there throughout his rookie campaign.
In that event, the team would have the option of tolling the first season of his four-year rookie contract. With 2023 slated to essentially be a redshirt year for the 25-year-old, such action would likely come as little surprise. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports, however, that the Lions are not considering tolling Hooker’s first year, instead planning on placing him on the active roster at the first opportunity.
Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that no firm decision has been made as of yet with respect to Hooker’s short-term future. The Lions have Goff, Bridgewater and Nate Sudfeld in place as healthy signal-callers at the moment, but Hooker will receive plenty of attention if and when he does get an opportunity to play given his success with the Volunteers and draft stock prior to the ACL injury.
“Once we start hearing… like, ‘Hey, this guy’s coming on,’ we get the, ‘OK, you guys may have a decision to make sooner than later,” Campbell said when asked about Hooker’s status. “But we’re not even going to worry about it right now.”
Don’t know why this guy dropped to the the 3rd round. I think he’ll turn out to be a franchise QB for the Lions. In my humble, layman’s opinion he was at least the 3rd best QB in the draft. Lions probably got a steal.
Because he is the older side for rookies and because he’s coming off a serious injury. Otherwise, he’s a first round talent.
Sorry Lions fans but this guy will be about as much help to you as George Plimpton was.
Please explain why you make a point of trolling Lions fans on literally every single Detroit article.
Funny someone remembers George Plimpton – that was an interesting event oddity
I think I remember Ed Sabol doing a video piece on it for NFL films many years ago. Plimpton of course did well with his book “Paper Lion” which recounted the experience.
Hooker is a diamond in the rough. Best to shelf him and go slow and easy. Id be more concerned about the DET environment than Hooker recovery. Its looking like the Lions are turning the corner and could actually be a team to recon with. Time will tell? Who wouldn’t want to keep a Hooker on the side?
The Lions have been trying to turn that same corner since 1958. If their defense continues to be the league’s worst how much time will the offense be spending on the field? If they have any upside it’s only because the entire division appears to be at it’s lowest point in decades.
Question – was 2022-23 season a ROAR of the Lions or just a pissed MEOW and what does this years offering bring?
Certain franchises should get to host more than 53 players per season and maybe get a pass to put 12-13 on the field during the game instead of just 11.