The Detroit Lions took former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes knew they were set for 2023 with Jared Goff, so they took a chance on Hooker, who tore his ACL and could potentially miss the entire 2023 campaign. However, the latest Hendon Hooker injury update is that Lions fans could see their rookie QB on the field — at least in practice — soon.

“Lions rookie QB Hendon Hooker could start practicing this week, per HC Dan Campbell,” The 33rd Team’s NFL insider Ari Meirov reported on Monday. “He has been on the NFI list recovering from a torn ACL suffered last year in college at Tennessee.”

Could Hendon Hooker factor into Lions' 2023 season?

Jared Goff defends head coach Dan Campbell and his decisions.

Even with this positive Hendon Hooker injury update, it’s a slim chance that the rookie signal-caller makes a mark in the Lions’ 2023 season. Jared Goff is the team’s unquestioned starter, and veteran QB Teddy Bridgewater is behind him. And with the team battling for playoff position and trying to win a Super Bowl, putting a rookie in probably won’t make sense.

That said, both Goff and Bridgewater have dealt with injuries in the past, and Goff is struggling mightily in the Lions’ last two games.

Goff threw for just 236 yards with three interceptions before leading a miraculous comeback in Week 10 against the lowly Chicago Bears. In Week 11, in Thanksgiving against the Green Bay Packers, Goff threw for 332 yards and two touchdowns with no picks but also fumbled the ball three times, which helped give the Packers a surprising win.

Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have a team with Super Bowl aspirations in 2023, and Jared Goff is a big part of that. However, if he stumbles or gets hurt, you never know if the investment in Hooker will pay off.