Hendon Hooker injury update: When will the Lions rookie quarterback be fully healthy?

By all accounts, or the accounts that matter most (Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell), Hendon Hooker will not suit up for the Detroit Lions this season as he rehabs a torn ACL and learns an NFL offense. The Lions do not need to rush Hooker into anything, with Jared Goff holding down the fort as the starting quarterback this year.

Hooker is almost exactly eight months removed from his torn ACL, which he suffered last November 19 playing for Tennessee. As Lions' training camp starts this week, Hooker is "progressing well" with his rehab. Still, he's an easy and obvious candidate to start camp on the PUP or the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. Since his injury occurred as a college player, Hooker is eligible for the NFI list.

Hooker appeared with SEC Network at SEC Media days Monday. Via On3, he talked about how he's doing with his rehab.

Hendon Hooker injury update: When might the Lions rookie QB be fully healthy?

"Right now, I’m seven months out, really just stacking days,” Hooker told the SEC Network hosts. “I just got back from L.A., working with Jordan Palmer and my rehab team, MOTUS. They’re really dialing into the little things to help my body get back to a stronger and better me.

“Usually, it’s 9-10 months, depending on the degree of injury and the surgery. I’m feeling better every single day. Whenever I get to get out there, move around, throw the ball, run, I’m ecstatic. I can’t do too much, too fast.”"

So Hooker is, by his estimation... two months away from being fully healthy? Maybe a little less? That means he'll miss training camp and the preseason, which is not breaking news. But that update, however to be taken with a grain of salt from a player, opens up the idea he could be on the Lions' 53-man roster at some point this season. That decision will be made above him of course, but if he is deemed healthy a percentage chance that appears to be just about zero would rise.

For the Lions, this season is clearly about Hooker getting healthy and learning the nuances of an NFL offense above all else. So even with optimism about when he might be fully healthy, if he suits up for a game or plays it will be a huge surprise.