Hendon Hooker signing to Carolina Panthers practice squad after release from Detroit Lions

The Carolina Panthers plan to sign third-year quarterback Hendon Hooker to their practice squad, per Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Hooker lands in the NFC South two days after his release from the Detroit Lions. He will replace Jack Plummer as Carolina’s third quarterback behind Bryce Young and Andy Dalton.

Hooker, Detroit’s 2023 third-round selection out of Tennessee, was competing with Kyle Allen for the Lions’ backup job behind Jared Goff. Allen outplayed Hooker in Detroit’s four preseason games, leading to Hooker’s release.

Hooker finished the preseason 22-of-40 passing for 187 yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions and two fumbles. The Lions failed to get into the end zone and were limited to just one field goal in 20 preseason drives with Hooker under center. Lions head coach Dan Campbell had suggested a change of scenery might benefit Hooker.

Hendon Hooker gets a chance of scenery

“How much development do you believe there is,” Campbell said. “We’re talking about Hooker right now, how much development do you believe there still is? Sometimes, does the player need a change of scenery? I wish Hooker — and I know he does — would have had a better outing, but you’ve got to take it with a grain of salt.

“It’s not like he was playing with our first o-line out there, or first team skill position, all of that. You take that all into account as well. I thought he was prepared, I thought he was ready, looked pretty calm, and circumstances didn’t work out today, that’s all.”

Hooker, 27, has thrown just nine passes in regular season action, all coming last season. He missed the entirety of his rookie campaign recovering from a torn ACL in his final season at Tennessee. Before the injury, Hooker was on track to be a Heisman Trophy finalist. He still managed to win the SEC Offensive Player of the Year award.