Malik Hooker will meet again against the Colts. What feelings do you have

This Sunday’s game between the Cowboys and Colts will have as a particular ingredient some reunions between old acquaintances. One of them is that of cowboy defensive coordinator Dan Quinn with Matt Ryan, the quarterback he had under his orders as Atlanta’s head coach. However, this game will also have special meaning for someone who was in Indianapolis for four years: safety Malik Hooker.

Recall that Hooker came to the NFL in 2017 as the Colts’ first-round pick in that year’s Draft. It is true that the defensive back had very good records in his four years with the colts. However, his injuries during his rookie year and the ruptured Achilles tendon he suffered in 2020 spelled the end of his time at Indy.

Here is the play Malik Hooker tore his Achilles.

The #Colts biggest defensive play of the game and it comes with Hooker’s 2020 season ending: pic.twitter.com/0lEkCQY0U1

—Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) September 22, 2020

Understandably, this was something hard for Hooker. Like many rookies when they come to the NFL, the Ohio State product wanted to play for his first team his whole life. He even planned to settle in Indianapolis. But his injury history (hip tear, bilateral hernia, knee ligament tears, meniscus injury and Achilles tendon injury) completely upset those plans.

“It was really stressful because you have to pack everything you have in whatever state you are in”Hooker said speaking to DallasCowboys.com. “Just thinking about re-adapting to a new team, new coaches, a new community and things like that, it was going to be very difficult for me.”

After his rookie contract with the Colts expired, Malik Hooker became a free agent in 2021. His fitness after a ruptured Achilles tendon raised many questions, but the Cowboys decided to test him and give him a chance. After two visits, Dallas decided to sign him for one year. And he’s been one of the team’s standout signings of late.

Cowboys sign safety Malik Hooker. pic.twitter.com/GVxo8csJQ4

—NFL (@NFL) July 27, 2021

Now, just over two years later, Hooker will be reunited with his former team. And his feelings on the matter are clear.

“Obviously, I’ll cross paths with a lot of the guys I played with and a lot of the coaches I was there with.”said Hooker. “But I am looking forward to this game. It’s a crucial part of the season right now.”

The resurgence of Malik Hooker in Dallas

As bittersweet as his departure from the Colts turned out to be, Malik Hooker didn’t give up. The safety focused on resurfacing, and this is something he’s accomplishing in Dallas thus far.

In 2021, Hooker recorded 44 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, two passes defensed, and one interception. All this in 15 games, three of them as a starter. This performance seemed convincing enough for the team to decide to extend Hooker’s contract for two more years.

This year, Malik Hooker’s numbers are about the same as 2021, but with six games still to play. The safety has 41 combined tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass defensed and one interception. All this in 10 games, five as a starter. If it continues like this, the 2022 season is likely to end up being Hooker’s best in the NFL in terms of numbers.

Malik Hooker intercepted Stafford and the Cowboys are very close to beating the champions 🔥🤠#MundoNFL #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/xAsNLGgCyc

– NFL World (@MundoNFL) October 9, 2022

This good moment for Hooker, without a doubt, is due to two factors: the Cowboys’ faith in him, and his resilience despite injuries. This is how he let it be seen in his recent statements.

“(Looking at) that list of injuries, there are a lot of guys who don’t come back from that.”said Hooker this week. “I look at it as I don’t have anything else that can be damaged that way. I’ve done all my bad karma. I got it all out, so now I just have to go out with a clean mind and a clean heart.”

This Sunday, Malik Hooker could have a chance to shine against his former team in a Cowboys uniform. It is worth mentioning that Matt Ryan, quarterback of the Colts, is the third QB with the most interceptions so far this season. Intercepting a pass and putting together a great performance against Indianapolis would be the perfect cap off for Hooker, and that’s something he deserves after the odds he’s overcome.