Former Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker reveals he dealt with an unreported injury during Lions OTAs

Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker revealed this past week that he dealt with an unreported injury during Detroit Lions OTAs earlier this spring.

Hooker, a third round selection by the Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft, didn't see any action as a rookie last season as he continued his recovery from the torn ACL that he suffered near the end of his final season at Tennessee.

The former Vol had an up-and-down spring, struggling at times during OTAs and minicamp.

It turns out there was a good reason for those struggles.

Hooker told the Detroit Football Network that he suffered a dislocated finger on his throwing hand during OTAs.

“A lot of people don't know, I dislocated my finger in OTAs,” said Hooker to Detroit Football Network . “I dislocated my finger in the first practice, so those OTAs, I couldn't control the ball like I wanted to. It was my ring finger. That's what's going on the laces. That's how I control the ball, even if other quarterbacks might not control the ball that way. That affected my ball a lot. So I'm trying to get back into my rhythm, ripping the ball.”

Hooker, who is hoping to earn the No. 2 quarterback job in Detroit this summer, is still trying to find his rhythm after being sidelined for a year. The multiple injuries combined with learning a new offense have been tough obstacles for the former Vol. But he has plenty of time to find his footing before the 2024 season gets underway.

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