Lions Place Three on NFI List Ahead of Training Camp
The Detroit Lions have placed three players, including rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker, on the Non-Football Injury list ahead of the start of training camp.
The moves come on the same day as the decision to trade for New York Jets wideout Denzel Mims and cut kicker Michael Badgley.
Second-year tight end Derrick Deese Jr. and defensive lineman Zach Morton were the other two players to be placed on NFI Thursday.
Hooker is the most notable given his status as a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The rookie suffered a torn ACL on Nov. 19 while leading the Tennessee Volunteers, so he remains in the rehab process.
Per the parameters of the NFI list, he can return at any time when healthy.
He placed fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year despite the late-season injury last season. In 11 games, he threw for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions.
In total, he tossed 80 touchdown passes against 12 interceptions during his five-year college career.
Deese joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent after playing collegiately at Golden West Junior College and San Jose State University.
He didn't make the roster out of last year's training camp but signed a reserve/futures contract to return to the organization in January.
Morton is a 2023 UDFA who hails from Detroit and the University of Akron. In two seasons with the Zips, he totaled 61 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He began his college career at Syracuse.
