The Detroit Lions are waiving quarterback Hendon Hooker entering Tuesday’s cutdown deadline (4 p.m.), according to multiple reports on Monday.
Hooker, a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, now will hit the waiver wire, where all 31 other teams across the league will have a chance to claim him. If Hooker goes unclaimed, he will be able to join the Lions’ practice squad.
After struggling to show progression in four preseason games, Hooker’s status was at the forefront of the decisions to be made by general manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell.
Hooker went 6-for-11 passing for 70 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception in Saturday’s 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans at Ford Field.
Over all four preseason games, he went 22-for-40 passing for 187 yards, three interceptions, and two fumbles. The Lions did not score a touchdown on any one of their 20 drives with Hooker at quarterback. Their only scoring drive came after the Lions recovered a muffed punt at the 27-yard line of the Dolphins, leading to a field goal from kicker Jake Bates; Hooker did score a rushing touchdown on that drive, but it was called back for a holding penalty on left tackle Giovanni Manu.
When it came to the decision, Campbell said Saturday the team would need to consider whether it believed there was potential for Hooker to further develop, and if the remaining upside was worth using up a critical roster spot.
“How much development do you believe there still is?” Campbell said. “Sometimes, does the player need a change of scenery? What about our depth in other areas? … Maybe there is room to grow. Is it worth it for the depth we need at O-line, D-line, receiver, (defensive back)? So those are all the things you have to weigh.”
The Lions will carry just two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster entering the season: Starter Jared Goff and backup Kyle Allen.
Hooker said after Saturday’s preseason game that he felt he made a “strong stance” for making the roster, but expressed disappointment in not being able to beat out Allen for the No. 2 job.
Following a turnover-happy debut in the Hall of Fame Game, Allen was one of the best preseason performers across the entire league. In four games, he was 35-for-44 passing (79.5%) for 401 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions; both turnovers came in the Hall of Fame Game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“Who would want to go into a battle and think that they are not gonna be successful? Especially the skills that I have and that I can showcase,” Hooker said. “But you know, you gotta come in and work as hard as you can every day, so that’s what I’ve been doing.”
If Hooker is claimed by another team, expect Detroit to add a third quarterback to the practice squad.
#### Lions waive fan favorite
The Detroit Lions are waiving a pair of fan favorites, cutting wide receiver Jackson Meeks and cornerback Nick Whiteside, The Detroit News has learned.
Meeks, a UDFA out of Syracuse, was one of the top receivers in all of preseason, hauling in 11 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Whiteside (Auburn Hills Avondale), who was entering his second pro season after a college career at Saginaw Valley State, had a strong camp but had a downturn in his performance during the final week.
The team is interested in signing both players to its practice squad if they clear waivers.
The Lions are waiving safety Ian Kennelly (per KPRC’s Aaron Wilson) and edge rusher Mitchell Agude (per ESPN’s Adam Schefter).
Kennelly (Utica Eisenhower) was a highly intriguing player coming out of Grand Valley State, but ultimately couldn’t maintain his momentum long enough to make the roster. He and Agude, who’s been with the Lions’ practice squad since 2023, will be top candidates to rejoin the Lions via the practice squad.
#### Former third-rounder waived
The Lions are waiving defensive tackle Brodric Martin, a source confirmed to The Detroit News. Martin, the 96th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, performed relatively well in the preseason, posting an impressive pass-rush win rate of 16.1%. Ultimately, however, Martin was unable to climb out of the hole he found himself in, behind DJ Reader and newcomer Roy Lopez on the depth chart at nose tackle.
#### Defensive end depth thinned
Another surprising move came in the form of Detroit waiving edge defender Nate Lynn, a source told The Detroit News. Lynn had a very strong preseason and was considered a front-runner by some to earn one of the final reserve spots at that position, which has been picked apart by injuries to Ahmed Hassanein and Josh Paschal.
Lynn would be another candidate to return via the practice squad if he clears waivers.
#### Another DL move
Defensive lineman Myles Adams is being waived, The Detroit News has learned. Adams, who recently earned a shoutout from head coach Dan Campbell, appeared in five games with Detroit last season, notching four tackles and a couple of quarterback hits to help the Lions in the second half of 2024. He’s one to watch to be brought back on the practice squad.
#### Wide receiver, tight end waived
The Lions continue to trim down their wide receiver and tight end rooms.
Tight end Gunnar Oakes, who played at Eastern Michigan and with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers, was waived, a source told The Detroit News. As was wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James, an undrafted rookie from Massachusetts, according to a source.
#### Hallett, Saylors waived
Defensive back Erick Hallett II and running back Jacob Saylors have been cut, according to a pair of reports from KPRC’s Aaron Wilson. Hallett’s versatility made him an interesting candidate to make the roster, as he’s shown capable of playing outside cornerback, nickel and safety. Saylors, who played for the United Football League’s St. Louis Battlehawks last season, was signed July 29.
#### Two injury settlements
The Lions released a pair of players from injured reserve this week, parting ways with offensive lineman Keaton Sutherland (knee) on Friday and cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (lower leg) on Saturday, per the NFL’s transaction wire. Both players received injury settlements, a negotiated agreement to pay them for the time they miss while recovering. It also allowed the Lions to remove them from the roster. Sutherland and Bootle cannot re-sign with the Lions until the settlement expires, but they are free to sign elsewhere at any time. Because both players were on IR prior to their release, neither was counting toward the 90-man roster.