The wait for Detroit Lions rookie Hendon Hooker is just about over. He is expected to come off the NFI list and practice with the team for the first time in his career very soon. Possibly as early as this week.
It was expected to happen soon and Lions head coach Dan Campbell was asked about Hooker coming back this week and his response was “we could.” He did mention that he thinks the team will bring Hooker back this week and that he’s had discussions with Lions GM Brad Holmes about the matter last week. He didn’t want to totally confirm that it’s happening in case they decided to push it back a week or so.
Now, this does not mean that Hooker is going to see the field for the Lions this year. The chances are very slim. This doesn’t mean that Jared Goff is in any danger of losing his starting sport this year or next. They also didn’t make this decision based off Goff dealing with turnovers in the last two games. This has been an expected move since August.
The reason for this move is simple. The Lions can’t coach him or work with him if he’s on the NFI list. It’s against the rules. Activating him and adding him to the Lions 53-man roster will give Hooker a chance to work with the team and, more importantly, do individual and fundamental work with coaches. It’s time to see what the kid can do for the team on the practice field. Mark Brunell will probably be spending a lot of time with him.
I wouldn’t expect Hooker to actually put on a helmet and take the field until next August when they put him out for preseason games.