Greensboro native Hendon Hooker joins Carolina Panthers practice squad

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WGHP) — Former Dudley High School quarterback and college star Hendon Hooker is coming home.

The Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye reports that Hooker, a Greensboro native, is expected to sign with the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad.

Hooker is entering his third season in the NFL after being selected by the Detroit Lions in the Third Round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

FILE - Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, March 3, 2023. Threw only five interceptions in 631 attempts at Tennessee, but did fumble 22 times. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) — FILE – Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, March 3, 2023. Threw only five interceptions in 631 attempts at Tennessee, but did fumble 22 times. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

Hooker’s rookie season in Detroit was something of a redshirt season as he continued to recover from a torn ACL he suffered during his final season at the University of Tennessee.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker suffers an injury while making a cut during the second half of the team’s NCAA college football game against South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Columbia, S.C. Hooker left the game. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)

Hooker moved up the depth chart in 2024 as he won the backup quarterback competition for the Lions.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – AUGUST 24: Hendon Hooker #2 of the Detroit Lions throws a first half pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game at Ford Field on August 24, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Hooker made 3 in-game appearances for the Lions in 2024, mostly in mop-up duty during blowout victories. In those games, he completed 6 of his 9 passes for 66 yards, according to Pro Football Reference.

Hooker struggled during the 2025 preseason, completing only 55% of his passes for 187 yards, 0 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN-AUGUST 23: Quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) of the Detroit Lions looks to pass the ball during an NFL pre-season football game between the Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Michigan, USA, on Saturday, August 23, 2025 (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Earlier in the week, Lions head coach Dan Campbell suggested that Hooker may “need a change of scenery,” during a press conference. Hooker would be released by the Lions on Monday, ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline.

Now, Hooker appears to be returning to the state where he starred in high school, as he will join the Panthers’ practice squad.