Jared Goff had an incredible year last season with the Detroit Lions. He was simply on point and had some of the best quarterback stats in the NFL towards the end of the season.

But, of course, the Lions need some guys to back up Goff. That’s been a weak point in the Detroit Lions, as they haven’t really had anyone to call on if Goff is out.

But, that all changed during the NFL Draft. The Lions picked up Hendon Hooker in the third round. But, if you’re planning to see him on the field right away, don’t.

Hooker is getting lots of early buzz and drawing excitement from Lions fans, but he’s not ready to play yet. Hooker is currently rehabbing from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Due to that injury, he probably won’t play this season. But, don’t worry, Lions nation. Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell says that’s something they knew before they drafted him.

“Really, this is a redshirt year for him,” Campbell told Chris Long on the Green Light Podcast (via the Detroit Free Press). “He’s got to get this leg right first, and then he’ll learn under Jared, and then let’s see what happens. If he can eventually become your two or maybe down the road, later on, it’s more than that, but it’s going to be a long time.”

So, what caused Hooker’s injury? He injured his left knee in November 2022 during a game against South Carolina. Campbell says that while he’s getting better and healing up, he’ll learn from Jared Goff.

“To be able to get him where we did — we traded back twice and we were still able to acquire him — we felt like that was, everything played out just the right way for us,” Campbell told Chris Long on the Green Light Podcast (via the Detroit Free Press). “We were excited, and to your point, yes, Goff is going to handle it well. He knew. [General Manager] Brad [Holmes] had called him, and he’s great. And he’ll help this guy just learn and grow.”

Meanwhile, here’s more on the D’Andre Swift trade.