The next 24 hours are going to have a lot of NFL players on edge with cutdown day at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Some teams have begun making some cuts, and on Monday, a former Virginia Tech quarterback, Hendon Hooker, was let go by the Detroit Lions.
Hooker played for Detroit in their 26-7 loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday and went 6-for-11 for 70 yards and an interception. Kyle Allen followed him and went 5-for-5 for 66 yards and led the Lions to their only touchdown in the first quarter.
Hooker was selected by the Lions in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, 68th overall, out of Tennessee. This preseason, he threw for 187 yards and three interceptions on 22-for-40 passing.
According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Detroit coach Dan Campbell suggested the other day that Hooker could use a change of scenery, and it appears it's coming. Some teams will likely look to bring the former Hokies signal-caller on board to fit into their system.
At Virginia Tech, Hooker played in 25 games over three seasons from 2018-20 and throwing for just under 2,900 yards with 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He transferred to Tennessee for his final two years of college football before heading off to the NFL.
Also on Monday, the Washington Commanders announced that they released six players, including former Virginia Tech defensive lineman Norell Pollard. He was beginning his second season with the Commanders organization and had two tackles in the team's preseason games this summer.
Hooker, who broke out with Tennessee but was never able to get them over the hump in the SEC, will likely find a new home sooner rather than later, as teams are always looking for a quarterback.