Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings inactives: Hendon Hooker serves as 3rd QB for first time
MINNEAPOLIS — The Detroit Lions helped bring a new rule to the NFL this year that allows teams to dress an emergency third quarterback for games, and they are taking advantage of it for the first time Sunday.
The Lions designated rookie quarterback Hendon Hooker as their emergency third quarter for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m., Fox) at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Hooker, a third-round pick in April, spent the first 15 weeks of the season on the nonfootball injury list as he rehabbed from the torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suffered in college at Tennessee. The Lions (10-4) added Hooker to the active roster this week as their No. 3 quarterback, behind starter Jared Goff and veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater.
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In March, the Lions proposed allowing teams to dress a third quarterback for games without having that player count against the 48-man gameday roster.
NFL owners adopted the rule in May, giving teams that have three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster the option of having an emergency quarterback in case of injury.
Hooker can only play Sunday if the Lions lose Goff and Bridgewater to injury or disqualification.
The Lions can clinch their first division title since 1993 with a win over the Vikings (7-7). They have not won the NFC North since its inception in 2002, and have not made the playoffs since 2016.
They also can qualify for the postseason with a loss or tie by the Seattle Seahawks against the Tennessee Titans.
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Cornerback Jerry Jacobs (hamstring), linebacker Derrick Barnes (shoulder), tight end Brock Wright (hip), cornerback Steven Gilmore, receiver Antoine Green and defensive tackle are inactive for the Lions, who elevated Michael Badgley from practice squad to handle kicking duties for the second straight week.
Cornerback Bryon Murphy and safety Lewis Cine are out for the Vikings, who designed Josh Dobbs as their third quarterback. Nick Mullens makes his second consecutive start at quarterback.
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions vs. Vikings inactives: Hendon Hooker serves as 3rd QB
