Malik Hooker Practicing in Full
By Andrew Ites
Malik Hooker’s injury history has been concerning with the Colts, but he looks to be fully healthy heading into Week 1.
Malik Hooker was a top-5 prospect on many draft analysts’ draft boards, but a checkered injury history caused him to fall to the Colts at pick number 15 in the first round.
Hooker was forced to undergo multiple surgeries this offseason to repair various injuries to his shoulder and a sports hernia.
Hooker’s injury troubles seemed to stick with him at the NFL level during training camp. He tweaked his hamstring before camp even officially started while running during his conditioning test.
That sore hamstring kept him out of practice for around a week, then his surgically repaired shoulder started acting up again. His shoulder caused him to miss some more valuable practice time for a rookie trying to transition to one of the defense’s most complex positions.
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Luckily for the Colts, Malik Hooker has been practicing in full this week as Indianapolis prepares for their trip to Los Angeles to take on the Rams in Week 1.
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The defense will need all hands on deck to defend new head coach Sean McVay’s offense, which was so dynamic during his time as offensive coordinator in Washington. The defense also might not get too much help from their offense as Scott Tolzien will be starting under center in place of the injured Andrew Luck.
The Colts have suffered some major injuries to their key players this offseason, but it’s a relief that Malik Hooker will be fully healthy for his NFL debut.