It has been a really close battle throughout training camp between Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen for the backup quarterback job, but it seems like Allen took a step ahead after his performance against the Falcons.
Hooker started the game and finished 7-for-10 passing for 38 yards. He rushed for 27 yards, but lost two fumbles.
It was the turnovers that prompted head coach Dan Campbell to go with Allen before the end of the second quarter.
"Just turning the ball over. That was the big one," Campbell said of pulling Hooker before his scheduled full first half of work. "Look, Hooker made some good throws before. He was doing a few things, but we've got to get more work taking care of the ball.
"You decide you're going to be a runner, you've got to tuck it away like any runner does. Two hands on the ball in the pocket when you go to step up, so it's all the fundamentals that we talk about. So, we just need more work at that, and then he'll get to play."
Campbell said Monday he was really impressed with how Allen stepped in and played overall after watching the tape.
"I thought Kyle played really well, man, I was fired up," he said. "That was outstanding. He comes in the game, he wasn't going to play until the second half, and we get him in there. So, it's kind of like, 'Hey man, you're up.' And, 'OK, I've got to be ready to go now?'
Allen came out and gave the offense a big boost, hitting wide receiver Jackson Meeks for a 68-yard completion and eventually getting the offense in the end zone on a great touchdown throw to rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa in the corner of the end zone.
"Runs the offense, makes two huge throws in the first drive he's in there. Man, I thought he was on point with the checks. The kills, motion landmarks, the whole thing," Campbell said of Allen. "He operated the offense at a high level and made big-time throws, so I was fired up."
Allen finished 7-for-8 passing for 120 yards with touchdown passes to TeSlaa and Meeks and a 158.3 passer rating.
"It felt good to move the ball and put the ball in the end zone," Allen said after practice Monday. "Obviously better flow of the offense than Week 1. Just felt like as a whole we got better."
UFL ADDITIONS
The Lions added four players to the roster Sunday after a few players were placed on Reserve/Injured coming out of the Atlanta game. All four players – T Gunner Britton, OL Keaton Sutherland, TE Gunnar Oakes and RB Deon Jackson – played this spring in the UFL.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes hasn't been shy about signing players from the UFL the last couple seasons, including kicker Jake Bates.
"I think it's because you have instant tape on those guys, right? They're fresh," Campbell said. "Brad (Holmes) does a great job, and that's one of the things that he's made a point of is like, 'Man, let's get guys in here that have just played, they're in shape, we've seen the tape.'
"These aren't guys that haven't been moving, man. They've been in football shape doing real things, real cuts, real contact, real all of it. So that's important to get you through camp, and then you get a look at these guys."
JOINT PRACTICES
The next time we see the Lions on the practice field Wednesday, they'll be joined by the Miami Dolphins.
What is Campbell looking forward to most about the work he's going to get in joint practices with the Dolphins?
"It'll be good, that's a talented roster," he said. "They're creative on offense, and they've got a tough D. That's that kind of Baltimore background, so the scheme will be good. The speed on the perimeter will be really good for our guys, obviously with what they've got. We're looking forward to it."
ROSTER UPDATES
The team placed T Justin Herron, OL Colby Sorsdal and TE Kenny Yeboah on Reserve/Injured. They also waived RB Jabari Small with an injury settlement.
Taylor Decker, Dan Skipper and Jamarco Jones all practiced Monday giving Detroit a big boost to their tackle depth.
Rookie guard Miles Frazier (PUP) was out at practice running the hill and working off to the side with trainers. It's good to see the fifth-round pick working his way back from injury.
