Former Lions QB Released Just Months After Joining New Team

The Detroit Lions made quarterback changes going into the 2025-26 season, because even though they have a solid franchise signal-caller in Jared Goff, his backups were in question. Now, Goff’s backup quarterback is

Kyle Allen, so if Goff goes down, Allen is really the only player on the active roster who would step in.

But, at one point, the Lions had hope for readying a different backup quarterback for Goff. That was

Hendon Hooker, their 2023 third-round draft pick. Detroit released Hooker on August 25 of this year, just weeks before the start of the regular season. It was an expected announcement at the time, although a disappointing one, since when the Lions picked him up in the draft, he was promising.

In Tennessee, he threw for 6,080 yards, 58 touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 68.8% of his passes, according to Sports Reference research. But, before letting him walk, Lions coach Dan Campbell even told reporters he felt Hooker could use a change of scenery, suggesting the outcome that became reality.

“Hooker lost the preseason battle for the backup quarterback job to veteran Kyle Allen, who outplayed Hooker in the Lions’ four preseason games and was clearly the better choice by the conclusion of their preparatory period,”

Nick Shook of the NFL’s site stated in a feature at the time.

Ex-Lions Quarterback Looking for a New Home

Hooker was quickly signed by the Carolina Panthers during the offseason and had been serving on their practice squad. But, that all ended on Tuesday, November 4. Amid the drama of trades happening before the NFL’s trade deadline at 4 p.m. Eastern time, the Panthers quietly released Hooker.

“Hooker’s departure seemed inevitable once the Panthers signed Mike White to their practice squad two weeks ago, and then, earlier this week, signed him to the active roster,” Charean Williams NBC Sports notes

. “Hooker became the odd man out as the fourth quarterback once Bryce Young was fully healed.”

In other Panthers moves, the team released tackle Michael Tarquin and linebacker Carlos Basham from the practice squad, and they signed running back

DeeJay Dallas and safety Israel Mukuamu to the practice squad. They also signed guard Ja’Tyre Carter as a practice squad exception.

Ex-Lions Signal-Caller’s Release Has to Do With Making Room for New Players

As Anthony Rizzuti of the USA Today’s Panthers Wire notes, the moves meant Hooker had to go. “To make room for Dallas, Mukuamu and Carter, the Panthers released quarterback Hendon Hooker, offensive tackle Michael Tarquin and outside linebacker Carlos ‘Boogie’ Basham,”

Rizzuti noted in a Tuesday, November 4 piece.

The Detroit Lions also made a move on Tuesday, although it wasn’t a flashy trade move. The team signed Jack Conley to their practice squad,

according to Tom Pelissero.

Conley is a rookie guard from Boston College and was most recently with the New England Patriots. Now, he’ll add depth to the Detroit Lions roster following

Christian Mahogany going down with a fractured ankle in Week 9. Now, the Detroit Lions will most likely call up Trystan Colon or Kingsley Eguakun to their active roster before their Week 10 game against the

Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 9.

Canucks recall top prospect Tom Willander

Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK shared on Monday that the Vancouver Canucks are calling up top defensive prospect Tom Willander. The 20-year-old had been assigned to the AHL

just two days ago, but now is back on the big club. The transaction may signal that he could draw into the lineup, as Willander had just been with the Canucks for salary purposes, and has not actually debuted yet.

Since being sent down, Willander appeared in one game with Abbotsford (AHL), adding an assist, now up to two points in his first five North American professional games. Drafted 11th overall in the 2023 draft by Vancouver, Willander is widely considered the club’s No. 1 prospect and one of the top defensive prospects in the league.

This is why you shouldn't trade Stecher

Despite having limited professional experience so far, the Swede spent the past two seasons starring for the NCAA’s Boston University, becoming acquainted with the North American game. Before his time in college, Willander made two appearances for Rögle BK of the SHL as a teenager.

A smooth-skating right-hander at 6-foot-1, Willander’s ability in his own end could be NHL-ready. The offense may take some time, but not many have his acumen at this phase in their careers with his quickness and agility. Vancouver could call on Willander to make his awaited debut partly due to necessity. With Quinn Hughes

out day-to-day and Victor Mancini also banged up, the team is particularly depleted on the back-end as they prepare to host the Rangers on Tuesday.

Although it may seem like a forgone conclusion considering the circumstances, fans will watch closely for updates on whether the prospect will make his debut Tuesday or not.

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