Last Thursday night was the first game action Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker had seen since November of 2022. He of course spent his rookie season working his way from a torn ACL, and OTAs and training camp have been his first meaningful practice snaps in the NFL.
The original plan for Hooker seemed to be for him to play the entire second half against the Giants. And he looked fairly good when he was out there, going 5-for-9 for 36 yards while adding four carries for 34 yards.
Hooker made the highlight reels with a 16-yard run where he trucked a Giants' defender. But he also left the game, and was seen departing the medical tent before going to the locker room. He entered concussion protocol, and missed practice on Sunday afternoon and Monday night.
Hooker returned to practice Wednesday, after head coach Dan Campbell suggested he has a chance to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Hendon Hooker has learned a valuable lesson
After the game, head coach Dan Campbell obviously noted the importance of Hooker knowing when to give himself up as a runner.
After Wednesday's practice, Hooker noted the sheer excitement he had to simply be playing against the Giants, which is understandable. He said he "wasn't even trying to run the guy over" on the aforementioned play, but a great authority in his life has been sure to echo Campbell's message about sliding, in-person and via text.
"Oh yeah, my mom's a huge fan of sliding," Hooker said. "I always (hear) it from her, but now the coaches are on me as well. ... 'We gotta slide,' she's been saying that for years. I'm learning. I'm learning."
Hendon Hooker said his mom Wendy is a huge fan of quarterbacks sliding 😂 He said she has been on him for years and now the Lions coaching staff is too.
— Jeanna Trotman (@JeannaTrotmanTV) August 14, 2024
Good to see him in good spirits and out there on the field though. 👍 pic.twitter.com/RoSJr2cyms
For a lot of people, the immediate reaction to the play where Hooker ran over the Giants' defender was rooted in how he needs to slide in that situation. The competitive nature aspect can be appreciated, but the extra yards weren't worth it for someone who needs reps more than anyone on the Lions' roster right now. Lesson learned though, and that's the important part.