MOBILE, Ala.– Hendon Hooker slapped hands with his padded-up teammates here on Tuesday at the Senior Bowl.
When the American team unit lost a drill in practice, Hooker got down on the Hancock Whitney Stadium turf and did push-ups with the other players.
While the former University of Tennessee quarterback can't take part in the action right now, he's doing everything else to feel a part of it as he embarks on his NFL career.
"I can't showcase what I can do on the field right now," Hooker said on Tuesday. "But as much as I can do, I'm going to do. I can always come out here and watch my guys compete, and root my teammates on, and that's what I'm going to do."
With a smile, Hooker said he's doing his best to stay patient as he recovers from the torn left ACL he suffered back in November.
He's counting the days until he can put on a helmet and shoulder pads again.
"I'm being patient the same way I was patient when I had to keep my leg up in the shower," Hooker said, recalling the early days after the surgery. "I couldn't put any weight on it in the shower. … I just have to take it day-by-day, step-by-step, and get better every day while making sure I am doing everything I can."
Hooker, invited to the Senior Bowl after a stellar final season with the Vols, was decked out in a long-sleeve Senior Bowl t-shirt and shorts on Tuesday. He was also wearing a cumbersome brace on his left knee.
While Hooker can't practice, he is able to communicate with teams in meetings. He's doing his best to make a good impression on coaches and scouts leading up to the NFL Draft.
"I just want to show the type of leader I am, the character I have," Hooker said. "And, just my love for ball, my football IQ for sure. I want to show them what I know, and what I can learn as well."
Hooker signed autographs for UT fans after practice, when he also got a big hug from Tennessee coach Josh Heupel.
Hooker did provide an update on his health, saying he's scheduled to start doing a lot more "explosive things" in about two weeks. At the same time, he'll be able to work out without his brace and be able to put 100 percent weight on his left leg while getting back to a running motion with some resistance.
"I feel good about how things are going," Hooker said. "And it's great to be out here and be able to talk ball and be around such great players and watch my teammates compete as well.
"It has been fun. It has been a blast."
