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.