Rule change from previous NFC Championship reason Lions quarterback Hooker suits up for games

Allen Park — The Detroit Lions activated Hendon Hooker off the non-football injury list in December, but predictably the rookie quarterback has not been part of the active roster during a game day with Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater holding down the top of the depth chart.

Still, Hooker has been suited up as an emergency QB, part of a new rule implemented by the league this season that allows for a third, inactive quarterback to enter the game if the starter and primary backup suffer injuries knocking them from the game.

The rule change was actually proposed by the Lions, where it was debated and approved during a league meeting last March in Arizona. But the genesis of the proposal stemmed from last year's NFC Championship game, where the 49ers lost Brock Purdy to an elbow injury and backup Josh Johnson to a concussion. That had running back Christian McCaffrey warming up to take over the quarterbacking duties before an injured and ineffective Purdy, unable to throw further than 10 yards, returned to finish out the contest.

Hooker should be back in his emergency role on Sunday, assuming a late-week tooth issue doesn't sideline him for the contest. As for the 49ers, they'll also be taking advantage of the emergency QB option, with Brandon Allen as their third behind Purdy and Sam Darnold.

A third-round pick out of Tennessee last April, Hooker spent much of this year rehabbing his way back from the torn ACL he suffered 14 months ago. That injury prematurely ended his Heisman-caliber campaign. With Bridgewater expected to retire at the end of this season, Hooker is expected to ascend to the backup role for Detroit in 2024.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

@Justin_Rogers