The Jets are taking a chance on another quarterback Thursday, signing former college star Hendon Hooker to the practice squad.
The former Virginia Tech and Tennessee standout was a third-round pick of the Lions in 2023 when Jets coach Aaron Glenn was the Lions defensive coordinator. Hooker appeared in three games with Detroit last season, completing six of nine passes for 62 yards.
The 6-foot-4 Hooker finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior in 2022 with the Vols, but he suffered a torn ACL late in the season and missed his rookie NFL campaign. Hooker was released by the Lions in August and spent part of the season on the Panthers’ practice squad.
First-year offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand also was Detroit’s passing-game coordinator during Hooker’s two years with that organization.
Undrafted rookie Brady Cook has played the past two games for the Jets, with veterans Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) nursing injuries.
Engstrand was encouraged by some of what he saw from Cook against the Jaguars. The rookie completed 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards, including one TD toss, albeit also with three interceptions.
“I definitely thought he did some really good things…as far as operating the offense and getting us in and out of the huddle, getting us to the right checks, distributing the ball, playing point guard at times, and playing on timing and rhythm,” Engrstrand said. “But then, there’s some plays that I know he’s talked about already that he’d definitely like back.
“Just a few rookie moments that he’ll learn from as we keep going and I’m looking forward to seeing his growth here this week.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
