The Detroit Lions have added quarterback Jake Fromm to strengthen their roster at a position that was affected by Hendon Hooker’s recent concussion.
“We felt like he’s going to be able to pick up the offense pretty fast, enough to be able to go out and help us if need be,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said Monday night.
Detroit did not want to play a preseason game on Saturday night at Kansas City with only Jared Goff and Nate Sudfeld available to take snaps.
The 26-year-old Fromm went 0-2 as a starter in 2021 with the New York Giants. The former Georgia star, who was drafted by Buffalo in the fifth round in 2020, was released by Washington three months ago.
“We needed somebody we felt like could work in the pocket and he was fortunately available,” Campbell said. “He had a workout (Monday), looked pretty good, so we’ll see where it goes.”
The Lions were hoping Hooker would gain valuable experience in his second NFL season, coming back from a knee injury that ended his college career.
Hooker got hurt in the third quarter on a run in a preseason game last week against the Giants, marking his first game in 21 months since tearing a ligament in his left knee as a fifth-year senior for the Tennessee Volunteers.
He was 5 of 9 for 36 yards and had four carries for 34 yards, including a 16-yard run.
Detroit drafted Hooker in the third round last year, knowing he would likely not play as a rookie and hoping he would develop into a reliable backup.
The defending NFC North champions gave Goff a $212 million, four-year extension in May and will start the regular season at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 8 as they aim to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.
