The Jets are taking a chance on another quarterback, signing former college star Hendon Hooker to the practice squad Thursday.
The former Virginia Tech and Tennessee standout was a third-round pick of the Lions in 2023 when Jets coach Aaron Glenn was the Lions defensive coordinator.
Hooker appeared in three games with Detroit last season, completing 6 of 9 passes for 62 yards.
The 6-foot-4 Hooker finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior in 2022 with the Vols, but he suffered a torn ACL late in the season and missed his rookie NFL campaign.
Hooker was released by the Lions in August and spent part of the season on the Panthers practice squad.
First-year offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand also was Detroit’s passing game coordinator during Hooker’s two years with that organization.
Undrafted rookie Brady Cook has played the past two games for the Jets, with veterans Tyrod Taylor (groin) and Justin Fields (knee) nursing injuries.
Engstrand was encouraged by some of what he saw from Cook against the Jaguars.
The rookie completed 22 of 33 passes for 176 yards, including one TD toss, albeit also with three interceptions.
“I definitely thought he did some really good things … as far as operating the offense and getting us in and out of the huddle, getting us to the right checks, distributing the ball, playing point guard at times and playing on timing and rhythm,” Engrstrand said. “But then, there’s some plays that I know he’s talked about already that he’d definitely like back.
“Just a few rookie moments that he’ll learn from as we keep going, and I’m looking forward to seeing his growth here this week.”
Special teams coordinator Chris Banjo took exception to the illegal block penalty call on Tre Brown that wiped out a punt-return touchdown by Isaiah Williams in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars.
“I didn’t agree with it, personally,” Banjo said before Thursday’s practice. “A lot of our guys didn’t, as well, but it is what it is at this point.
“It sucks that the nature of that play, in terms of what ended up happening, was taken away. I really just hate it for the guys because they work their [butts] off throughout the week, and every time they take the field, they believe they can have a positive impact, and it showed again on that play.”
The Jets also signed defensive tackle Payton Page to the active roster and placed safety Tony Adams on injured reserve.