Lions waive Hendon Hooker, Kyle Allen named backup to Goff

The Detroit Lions moved on from quarterback Hendon Hooker this week, waiving the former third-round pick as they trimmed their roster to 53 players ahead of the regular season. Coach Dan Campbell confirmed the backup job goes to veteran Kyle Allen, and suggested that a change of scenery might be best for the 27-year-old Hooker after a disappointing preseason.

Campbell said Hooker had prepared and appeared calm, but that his preseason play did not warrant keeping him as the No. 2 behind starter Jared Goff. "I wish Hooker, and I know he does, would have had a little bit better outing, but you have to take it with a grain of salt," Campbell told reporters, adding that Hooker often did not have first-team protection or skill-position teammates during his snaps. The coach also raised the question of whether continued development might be better served elsewhere.

Hooker’s preseason numbers undercut his case to remain in Detroit. Across four exhibition games he completed 22 of 40 passes for about 187 yards with three interceptions, two lost fumbles and no touchdowns. In the preseason finale he went 6 of 11 for 70 yards and an interception; Allen finished that game 5 of 5 for 66 yards...