The Detroit Lions are set to square off against the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL Hall of Fame game on Thursday, and the team is reportedly rolling with a different starting quarterback than expected.

 

According to ESPN’s Pat McAfee, the Lions are starting Kyle Allen at quarterback on Thursday versus the Chargers. However, McAfee also stated that Hendon Hooker will be seeing the field at some point.

“According to sources, Kyle Allen will be getting the start. But we will be seeing Hendon Hooker,” McAfee stated on his show.

Many assumed that Hooker would receive the start for Thursday’s preseason opener, as the Tennessee product is the heavy favorite to be the No.2 quarterback behind Jared Goff. But it looks like the coaching staff wants to see Allen first and give Hooker most of the action afterwards.

Hooker, who was selected with the No.68 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, missed most of his rookie season as he rehabbed from a torn ACL. The 27-year-old didn’t see much action in 2024 and was even replaced by Teddy Bridgewater as the backup quarterback later in the year.

Though Hooker isn’t starting on Thursday, he should play a good chunk of the game and will receive an opportunity to show that there shouldn’t even be a QB2 competition.

However, the experienced Allen, who has started 19 regular-season games in his seven-year career so far, also has a chance to put some pressure on Hooker and make the battle for No.2 quarterback a bit more interesting.

Detroit and Los Angeles will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, and both teams will not play most of their starters and key reserves