Who Should I Start? Easton Stick or Hendon Hooker

Saturday, August 9, 4:13 PM

With Atlanta Falcons No. 1 quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and backup Kirk Cousins sitting out Friday, third-stringer Easton Stick got the start against the Detroit Lions. Stick impressed in a 17-10 loss, completing 15 of 18 attempts for 149 yards and a touchdown. The former fifth-round pick spent the first six seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Falcons in free agency this past spring. Stick appeared in six games with the Chargers (four starts) and completed 64% of passes with three touchdowns and an interception. If the Falcons keep three quarterbacks, Stick looks like the front-runner for the role, though he is competing with Emory Jones. The 25-year-old Jones has no regular-season experience in the NFL, but he did go 4-for-5 for 49 yards and add nine more yards on two rushes in relief of Stick on Friday. Stick and Jones will continue battling for a roster spot on Aug. 15 against the Tennessee Titans.

Saturday, August 9, 8:53 AM

Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker had a rough outing in his team's second preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. Hooker completed seven of ten pass attempts for just 38 yards and lost two fumbles. The third-year quarterback got the start after playing behind veteran Kyle Allen in the Lions' first preseason game, but Hooker was pulled in the middle of the second quarter against the Falcons. Hooker and Allen are competing for the backup quarterback job in Detroit behind Jared Goff. The competition has been open throughout training camp, but Hooker may have fallen behind Allen with his poor showing on Friday night.