Bridgewater had been the emergency-only No. 3 QB, inactive on game days ever since re-signing with the Lions late in the year. That status has now changed. Bridgewater is active for Saturday night’s divisional round matchup against the Washington Commanders. Rookie Hendon Hooker is inactive and the designated third QB for this one.

When the Detroit Lions released their list of inactives ahead of the playoff game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday night, quarterback Hendon Hooker was on the list. Here's why the Lions opted to go in a different direction for their backup quarterback behind Jared Goff.

Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker's first two seasons in the NFL haven't gone like the former Tennessee Vols standout was likely expecting. Hooker, who was limited as a rookie in 2023 after tearing his ACL near the end of his final season at Tennessee,

Hooker operated as the backup to Jared Goff for the entire season, though he'll serve as the emergency quarterback in the Lions' playoff opener. Teddy Bridgwater has taken over as second on the depth chart. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc.

The Detroit Lions have chosen veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater over Hendon Hooker to back up Jared Goff against the Washington Commanders

After a brutal loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round, the Detroit Lions season has ended after a 15-2 regular season, the most wins in franchise history. From the beginning of the game it looked like it was going to be a long night for the Lions’ defense,

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is saying who he believes is responsible for the team's loss to the Washington Commanders.

The Lions will have a new backup quarterback behind Jared Goff for their playoff game vs. Washington. Hendon Hooker was listed as inactive as the emergency third quarterback against the Commanders, which means veteran Teddy Bridgewater, who came out of retirement just a few weeks ago to sign with the Lions, will backup Goff.

The Detroit Lions' season is over after losing to the Washington Commanders 45-31 in the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday night.

The Detroit Lions officially announced their list of inactive players for Saturday's game against the Washington Commanders. Among the players whom the Lions deemed inactive for Sunday's game are Kevin Zeitler, Pat O'Connor, Giovanni Manu, Colby Sorsdal, Brodric Martin, Hendon Hooker and Mitchell Agude.

Highlights from the surprising Commanders’ upset of the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the NFL playoffs’ divisional round.