Malik Hooker's Week 2 injury is indeed as bad as the Indianapolis Colts feared.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Hooker suffered a torn Achilles in a win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, ending his season prematurely.
Source: #Colts S Malik Hooker did, in fact, tear his Achilles and he’s out for the season. A tough loss to a stout Indy D.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2020
Hooker was carted to the locker room just before halftime, and early indications suggested he sustained a major Achilles injury.
Further testing on Monday confirmed Hooker will miss the remainder of the 2020 season, a big blow to Indy's secondary.
Malik Hooker has dealt with a myriad of serious injuries throughout his career.
The former first-round pick had his rookie season cut short after a torn ACL and MCL. He also dealt with a hip strain that caused him to miss multiple games in 2018, and also missed the Colts' playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with a foot injury. A torn meniscus forced Hooker to miss multiple games last season.
This latest setback might mean Hooker's Colts career has come to a rather disappointing end.
The former Ohio State star had earned a reputation as a late-game playmaker early in his career, notching a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions in 2019 and ranking as the top clutch safety in the NFL last year, per Pro Football Focus.
#Colts Malik Hooker ranked as the most clutch free safety in the NFL, per @PFF.
Hooker produced two interceptions on four total targets in the fourth quarter last season. pic.twitter.com/RTjMFnKWP1
— Locked On Colts Podcast (@LockedOnColts) May 27, 2020
However, the Colts declined Malik Hooker's fifth-year option due to his injury history, and they might opt to let him walk in free agency this coming offseason.
It remains to be seen how Indianapolis will plug the hole at free safety, particularly considering most of its depth is at the cornerback position. Kenny Moore might be an option in that regard.
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