Detroit Lions QB Hendon Hooker announces his return to live game action with an emphatic moment

For the first time since November 2022, Detroit Lions QB Hendon Hooker put on his helmet and trotted onto the football field for a game.

And for those wondering if the former Tennessee Vols standout was rusty or would look a little bit tentative in his first time back in the huddle, that very much turned out to not be the case.

Hooker's stat line might not have been impressive - 5 of 9 for 36 yards and 4 rushes for 34 yards - but he delivered the play of the night for the Lions' offense during their 14-3 loss to the New York Giants on Thursday night.

On first at ten at the Giants' 35-yard line, Hooker took off around left end and towards the first down line.  He approached Giants safety Gervarrius Owens and lowered his shoulder.  Hooker, with a head of steam, plowed straight over the defender.

Hooker and the Lions got down inside the five-yard line, but Hooker's fourth down pass was broken up by a free-rushing Giants defender in his face.  Hooker left the game after reportedly being evaluated for a concussion and did not return.

However, Hooker's 70 total yards on 13 plays was far more efficient than the 110 fellow Lions backup QB Nate Sudfeld generated over 27.  Sudfeld completed 13 of 24 passes for just 96 yards with an interception while taking four sacks.  He added 14 rushing yards.

Hooker suffered a torn ACL during the Vols' 63-38 loss to South Carolina back on November 19, 2022, ending his Tennessee career.  The Lions selected Hooker in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but his recovery did not allow him the ability to play in the preseason, and he appeared in no action during the regular season.

Now, we'll see if he can manage to secure the QB2 spot, something that's been up in the air lately .  Provided he's healthy to return, he's in a better spot than he was before Thursday night.

Related: Former Tennessee Vols standout making waves in training camp with one of the NFL's most storied franchises