Lions head coach Dan Campbell talks about timetable for when Hendon Hooker could be activated

With Jared Goff to hold down the fort for at least another season, the Detroit Lions did not need to force the selection of a quarterback in April's draft. In the third round, they took Hendon Hooker knowing he wouldn't be ready to play right away due to a torn ACL last season at Tennessee.

By all accounts, Hooker is making nice progress in his recovery. But head coach Dan Campbell backed up general manager Brad Holmes' sentiment to call this a "redshirt year" for Hooker, as he not only gets fully healthy but also learns the full breadth of an NFL offense.

The NFL's new rule, which allows a third quarterback on the 53-man roster to be available for games but not have to count against the players listed as active for the game, sort of opens the door for the Lions to carry Hooker on the 53-man roster right away into the season. It still feels most likely he starts on the NFI or PUP list though.

Dan Campbell addresses timetable for Hendon Hooker to be activated

On Thursday, via Lions Wire, Campbell was asked if Hooker might be activated before the regular season starts. The immediate answer was rather pointed, under the circumstances.

"Yeah, honestly, we have not even talked about Hooker in those regards. It’s been more about, let’s get him back,” "

- Dan Campbell

Campbell went on to praise Hooker for the work he's doing with quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell and assistant coach J.T. Barrett. But when he'll be healthy enough to be activated is clearly not going to be thing until it's a thing.

"Once we start hearing from Fisch (Lions Director of Player Health & Performance Brett Fischer) and those guys like, ‘Hey, this guy’s coming on,’ we get the, ‘OK, you guys may have a decision to make sooner than later,’ then we’re not even going to worry about it right now.”"

- Dan Campbell

There is definitely a chance, maybe even a very good one, that Hooker is on the Lions' active roster well before the end of the season. But right now, as expected based on everything that preceded Campbell's comments on Thursday, the Lions are not going to make any firm declarations about their rookie signal caller.