Nate Sudfeld started under center for the Lions in the preseason opener against the Giants, as expected in deference to his experience. Hendon Hooker entered to start the second half, and added some juice to the Detroit offense with some solid passing and a notable element with his legs. Not to mention the Lions’ offense actually moving the ball after Sudfeld was awful in the first half.
It was just the kind of performance Hooker needed, to start separating himself from Sudfeld in the competition to be Jared Goff’s backup.
Hooker had a highlight-worthy run late in the third quarter, going for 16 yards, finished by pulling out the truck stick on Giants’ safety Gervarrius Owens.
That’s one of those plays where you wish Hooker would slide, to protect himself from any extra injury risk. But on the other hand, the mentality of wanting to get every last yard and take a firm hold on the No. 2 quarterback spot can be appreciated. It’s definitely different to see a Lions’ quarterback be able to add something with his legs.
Hooker seemed to be fine. He finished the rest of a 14-play, 88 yard drive that ended with a failed 4th-and-goal attempt.
Hendon Hooker leaves game after trucking Giants’ defender on run
Sudfeld came back into the game on the Lions’ first offensive series of the fourth quarter. Reporters saw Hooker emerge from the blue medical tent and head for the locker room.
Justin Rogers of Detroit Football Network added a layer to the situation with his report.
As Rogers said and multiple others echoed, there are no regular season-style injury reports offered during the preseason. So unless Dan Campbell gets specific when he doesn’t have to, upon certainly being asked about Hooker, there isn’t guaranteed to be clarity right after the game. But if we know Campbell, as soon as something is clear with as much known information as possible, he’ll say what the issue was with Hooker.
Update: 10:45 p.m. ET: Campbell confirmed Hooker suffered a concussion, amid a chunk of other injuries from Thursday night’s game.
