The Tennessee Titans moved safety Amani Hooker to the team’s Designated for Return from Injured Reserve list on Wednesday, which means Hooker is one step closer to regaining his starting spot.
Might Hooker play as early as Monday? The Tennessee Titans host the Buffalo Bills, and with Josh Allen currently on a hot streak, the Titans could use him in their secondary.
In terms of the technicalities, the designation opens a 21-day window for Hooker to practice with the team, during which he can join the active roster if he is deemed healthy enough. Until Hooker is activated, though, he won’t count against the team’s 53-man roster.
Head coach Mike Vrabel spoke about his tentative optimism for Hooker’s return:
"We’ve got to evaluate where (Hooker) is through practice. There is ‘return to play’ for a reason… I think, for the most part, I’ve noticed with these guys (the important thing) is kind of how they respond after some work. So, we’ll see what that looks like on Friday."
Hooker started in the Titans’ opener against the Arizona Cardinals, made six tackles, but exited due to a foot injury.
Tennessee Titans safety Amani Hooker could return to the lineup soon
Hooker’s return all but spells doom for Dane Cruikshank, who has taken Hooker’s place ever since Bradley McDougald was released in Week 2.
The fourth-year Titan has played admirably well in Hooker’s absence, recording 21 combined tackles through five games, but he isn’t the same level of player.
Assuming Hooker can pick up where he left off, though, the starting safety position will be his. Hooker was touted to succeed Kenny Vaccaro after Vaccaro was released in the offseason, and the Titans plan to follow through with their faith in the third-year safety.
Last season, Hooker tied for the team lead with four interceptions, and he didn’t miss a single game in his first two seasons in the NFL. A timely return to the lineup will be met with sighs of relief from a Titans secondary that has struggled of late.