Dan Campbell heaps praise on QB Kyle Allen after impressive preseason outing vs Atlanta

Lions Coach Praises Backup QB After Preseason Win

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn't sweating the team's backup quarterback situation, despite a rough start to the preseason for both Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen.

After Friday's win against the Atlanta Falcons, Campbell showered praise on Allen's performance. "I thought Kyle played really well," Campbell said Monday. "I was fired up. That was outstanding."

Allen entered the game in the first half after Hooker started but fumbled twice. "He gets out there and immediately gives us a boost," Campbell said. "Runs the offense, makes two huge throws in the first drive." That drive culminated in a touchdown to rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, capped off by a 68-yard completion to Jackson Meeks. Allen finished the game 7-of-8 for 120 yards and two touchdowns, one each to TeSlaa and Meeks.

Allen’s performance through two preseason games is markedly better than Hooker's. Allen boasts a 95.1 quarterback rating with 211 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions on a 16-of-22 passing record. Hooker, meanwhile, has a 42.7 rating with 56 yards, one interception, two lost fumbles, and a 10-of-16 passing record.

While Campbell's comments could be viewed as coachspeak, his effusive praise for Allen raises questions about whether he currently holds the edge in the competition for the backup spot. Hooker has shown promise in practice but needs to translate that success to game situations.

The next test for both quarterbacks comes Saturday afternoon when the Lions host the Miami Dolphins at 1:00 eastern. Their final preseason game is August 23 against the Houston Texans.