Hendon Hooker Played With Torn Meniscus in Infamous South Carolina Loss

Former Tennessee QB reveals he was already injured before season-ending ACL tear.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker has revealed that he was playing with a torn meniscus in the Volunteers' infamous 63-38 loss to South Carolina in 2022, which ended his potential Heisman Trophy-winning season. Hooker said he suffered the meniscus injury the game before against Missouri, but still managed to throw for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Gamecocks before tearing his ACL on a 50-yard run.

Why it matters

Hooker's revelation sheds new light on one of the most disappointing losses in recent Tennessee football history. The fact that he was already playing through a significant injury before suffering the season-ending ACL tear makes his performance and the team's defeat all the more remarkable. This story provides valuable insight into the toughness and determination of elite college athletes.

The details

Hooker said he tore his meniscus the game before against Missouri, where he still threw for 355 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 66-24 win. But in the South Carolina game, Hooker said he "didn't even run prior to that game the entire week" and was "just sitting in the pocket, throwing the ball." On the third play of the game, Hooker took off for a 50-yard run, but when he tried to plant his foot, "I have no meniscus so it's nothing to stabilize the ACL, and I just tore my ACL."

  • Hooker tore his meniscus in the game against Missouri, which was the week before the South Carolina game.
  • The South Carolina game took place on November 19, 2022.

The players

Hendon Hooker

Former star quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers who was playing through a torn meniscus before suffering a season-ending ACL tear against South Carolina.

Joe Milton III

Tennessee quarterback who was the first person to console Hooker after he suffered the ACL injury.

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What they’re saying

“What's really crazy is I didn't even run prior to that game the entire week. I was just sitting in the pocket, throwing the ball. I tore my meniscus the game before against Missouri. I'm essentially playing the entire South Carolina game on a torn meniscus.”

— Hendon Hooker, Former Tennessee Quarterback (3HL (104.5 The Zone)

“I remember Joe (Milton III) was the first person to come talk to me when I got off the ground. I was just bawling my eyes out. He just told me, like bro, I got your back, I'm gonna finish this for us.”

— Hendon Hooker, Former Tennessee Quarterback (3HL (104.5 The Zone)

What’s next

Hooker is currently bouncing around the NFL, having been drafted by the Detroit Lions, signed by the Carolina Panthers, and most recently picked up by the New York Jets.

The takeaway

Hooker's revelation about playing through a torn meniscus before his season-ending ACL injury against South Carolina demonstrates the incredible toughness and determination of elite college athletes. Despite being hobbled by injury, Hooker still managed to put up impressive numbers, highlighting his skill and competitive spirit.