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Hendon Hooker injury update from Tennessee coach Josh Heupel

Sean Labarby: Sean Labar10/19/21seanlabarpr
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(Photo courtesy of Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)


Hendon Hooker has been a major revelation at quarterback for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers. 

Hooker suffered an injury — that at the time looked serious as he needed help off the field — on the Vols’ final possession during Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss. 

Heupel provided an update on Tennessee’s dual-threat QB during Monday’s press conference. 

“Hendon Hooker is day-to-day at this point so we will see as the week unfolds in terms on the status of Hendon,” Heupel said. 

“I don’t think it’s a long term injury but his status for this week we will know more as we go.” 

Though Joe Milton started the season, Hooker has thrived since taking over the lead signal caller for the Volunteers. 

Hendon Hooker vital vs. Alabama

With the surging Alabama Crimson Tide up next for Tennessee, it’s clear that a healthy Hendon Hooker will be key if the Vols’ are going to pull off the upset.

Before Saturday’s injury, the Virginia-tech transfer currently ranked fifth nationally and second in the SEC in passer rating (179.75) and totaled 18 touchdowns (14 passing, four rushing) while throwing just one interception and averaging 288.8 yards of offense in his five starts, which included emphatic SEC wins against Missouri (62-24) and South Carolina (45-20).

The 6-foot-4, 218-pound North Carolina native started 15 games at Virginia Tech the past two seasons before transferring to Tennessee in January to play for the previous coaching staff, but he’s thrived under Heupel & Co. since coming in for Milton when he got hurt in the second quarter against Pittsburgh. Hooker nearly led the Vols to win in that one and took over the starting role from there. With him at the controls of the offense, Tennessee has averaged 40.6 points and 492.4 yards per game.

For the season, Hooker is 95 of 138 passing (68.8% completion) for 1,296 yards on 9.4 yards per attempt with 14 touchdown passes and just one interception, which he threw in the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh game, and he’s also added 390 yards and four touchdowns on 90 rushing attempts

Tennessee die-hard fans will have their eyes locked for Hendon Hooker updates throughout the week as their team prepares to face Nick Saban and Alabama on Saturday.