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.

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,

The long-anticipated changing of the guard at backup quarterback is now official for the Lions. Veteran Teddy Bridgewater is the new No. 2 QB for Detroit as the playoff games begin. Bridgewater had been the emergency-only No.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is a candidate for the head-coach opening of the Las Vegas Raiders, and momentum has been building that he could end up there. If that's the case, one Raiders insider believes the team will have interest in one of the Lions' quarterbacks.

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.

Hendon Hooker is inactive as the team's emergency third quarterback for the divisional-round game against the 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.

Teddy Bridgewater is in his 2nd stint with the Detroit Lions as Jared Goff's backup, having retired after the 2023 season and re-signing late in 2024.

A Las Vegas Raiders insider believes if Ben Johnson is hired as their next coach, he may already have a QB in mind to run his offense.

Bridgewater played for the Lions in 2023 and retired at the season's end before coming out of retirement and re-signing with the Lions on Dec. 26.

The Lions signed Teddy Bridgewater to their 53-man roster late in the regular season because they liked the idea of having a quarterback with his experience on hand during the playoffs.

The Washington Commanders face the Detroit Lions in the second round of playoffs, as the team looks to build on its strong postseason momentum.