Hendon Hooker will be slowly brought along during his rookie season, but he has taken an important on-field step in his ACL recovery.
From the moment he was drafted in the third round, and based on history, it has been clear the Detroit Lions will not rush Hendon Hooker into anything as he recovers from a torn ACL in his final season at Tennessee. It's the right play, with Jared Goff set to hold down the starting job this season.
Head coach Dan Campbell has said this will be a "redshirt year" for Hooker, backing up prior comments along the same line from general manager Brad Holmes.
Hooker has been embracing the opportunity to observe Goff, get mental reps and simply be on the practice field with his teammates during offseason work. But when might he do something notable, in terms of participation and physical reps?
Hendon Hooker takes important on-field step in recovery from torn ACL
After the Lions wrapped up Tuesday's first practice of mandatory minicamp, Hooker took the field and threw routes to teammates.
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required) talked to Hooker afterward.
Hendon Hooker threw routes on air Tuesday for the first time since he tore his ACL. It's a promising step for the Lions' rookie QB because, as he told me yesterday. "I’m only five months out so the stuff I’m doing is way ahead of schedule." https://t.co/7aUcezWZ3d via @freep
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) June 7, 2023
"I felt pretty good,” Hooker said of his throwing session Tuesday. “Missed one ball to end it out, but it felt good. I felt I put the ball where I wanted to. As soon as my feet can match my thought process then (it will be even better). Really, they’re just not moving as fast I want them to.”"
Training camp will be right around nine months from his torn ACL for Hooker. He hesitated to say he'll be ready at the start of camp.
"That’s very fast,” “Especially since other guys with the same injury, they’re nine months (before they return).”"
The Lions have no expectations for Hooker to do anything noteworthy during his rookie season, as he learns the offense and recovers physically. But Tuesday's throwing session was a notable step, even after a no-pads practice in June.