Some things are worth waiting for.
Hendon Hooker seems to be slated for a first-round selection on Thursday night, but the Tennessee passer may or may not see the field in 2023, much to the chagrin of a team drafting him.
Some of that may be by design: Hooker was expected to carry a clipboard during his rookie season in the NFL as he acclimates to the pro game. The other part of the equation is that Hooker is still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in November 2022.
TSN'S NFL DRAFT HQ
Live picks tracker | 7-round mock draft | Top 200 big board
Hooker's Heisman campaign season was cut a few games short, when he suffered a torn ACL during the Vols matchup against South Carolina on Nov. 5. Hooker, though, might be slated for a return to the field a bit sooner than some maybe expect.
Here's when Hooker might return to the field in 2023:
How long is Hendon Hooker out?
Hooker is very optimistic about a potential return to the field sooner than later. In the day leading up to the NFL Draft, Hooker's doctor sent a message to all 32 teams saying that the passer should be fully cleared in Week 1.
At Tennessee's pro day in late March, Hooker said that he is right on schedule, and could be ready for the regular season this September.
"I just met with my doctor on Monday, and he said I would be good (for the start of the season)," Hooker said. "I’m looking forward to that."
Hooker was yet to be medically cleared to throw or participate in drills at his pro day.
It is unclear whether Hooker will see the field this September, or whether NFL teams will take their time to make sure he's better than 100 percent. Traditionally, an ACL injury would keep an NFL player sidelined for roughly a year, which would slate Hooker for a return to the field around November at the long end.
For comparison: Kyler Murray tore his ACL in mid-December, and he may return before the halfway point of the 2023 NFL season, which would be around 10 months.
Hooker, though, sounds like he may be good to go at the start of the season in September, which is the best-case scenario for him and any team drafting him.
What is Hendon Hooker's injury?
Hooker reportedly suffered a garden variety, non-contact ACL injury vs. South Carolina. On an option play, Hooker planted his left leg wrong and collapsed on the field.
Per the Mayo Clinic, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. When torn, the ligament requires surgery.
Hendon Hooker injury timeline
Nov. 5, 2022: Hooker suffers a non-contact ACL injury vs. South Carolina. Tests confirm that he tore his left ACL, and he's done for the year.
December 2022: Hooker undergoes surgery for the injured ACL, putting a recovery timeline in anywhere from nine to 12 months.
March 4, 2023: At the NFL Combine, Hooker gets encouraging news on his knee, saying he'll be able to start throwing again the following week.
March 30, 2023: At Tennessee's pro day, Hooker tells media he'll be able to start drop-back throws in the coming days, and straight-line running in a few weeks. He says he's going to be ready for the start of the 2023 NFL season.