There are plenty of people who are worried about the backup quarterback situation for the Detroit Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell is not one of those people.
Despite the struggles through two games for both Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen, Campbell is not worried at all about where his team is at in terms of who is backing up Jared Goff. Speaking to the media Monday, Campbell praised the play of Allen, in particular, from Friday’s preseason win over the Atlanta Falcons.
“I thought Kyle played really well,” Campbell said Monday. “I was fired up. That was outstanding.”
Allen came in late in the first half against the Falcons after Hooker started the game but lost two fumbles. “He gets out there and immediately gives us a boost,” Campbell said. “Runs the offense, makes two huge throws in the first drive.”
That first drive resulted in a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, a drive that included a 68-yard completion to wide receiver Jackson Meeks. Allen finished 7-of-8 for 120 yards and two touchdowns, one each to TeSlaa and Meeks.
Through two preseason games, Allen is 16-of-22 for 211 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for a quarterback rating of 95.1. By comparison, Hooker is 10-of-16 for 56 yards, one interception, two lost fumbles and a QB rating of 42.7.
It could be coachspeak, but Campbell sure raved about Allen to the media. One has to wonder if that means Allen currently has the inside track to the No. 2 quarterback spot with two preseason games remaining. Hooker has performed well in practice, but at some point, it has to translate to games.
The next audition for Allen and Hooker comes Saturday afternoon when the Lions host the Miami Dolphins at 1:00 eastern. Their final preseason game is August 23 against the Houston Texans.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Dan Campbell heaps praise on QB Kyle Allen after impressive preseason outing vs Atlanta
Reporting by Billy Riccette, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
