Earlier this week, head coach Dan Campbell said he didn’t expect the rookie QB to play for “a long time.”
“Really, this is a redshirt year for him,” Campbell told Chris Long on the Green Light Podcast. “He’s got to get this leg right first and then he’ll learn under Jared (Goff), and then let’s see what happens. If he can eventually become your two or maybe down the road, later on, it’s more than that, but it’s going to be a long time.”
In his last two college seasons with Tennessee, Hooker threw for 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns and five interceptions in 24 games.
A backup to Goff entering the 2023 season, Hooker and the Lions are being cautious with his recovery process. Hooker was throwing the ball in Saturday’s practice, but he is aware that the goal is to remain steady on his road to full health.
“Honestly, I would like to be ready tomorrow, if I could. But, I’m taking it day-by-day,” Hooker said. “When my leg is 100 percent healed and everything else is moving fluently, and working together, I’ll be ready to go.”
Detroit’s mandatory minicamp starts on June 6.