The Detroit Lions had everything rolling on Sunday in a blowout 47-9 victory at the Dallas Cowboys, but then suffered what looks like a major loss.
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit's best defensive player and an NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate, was injured on a sack of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the second half. He winced in pain as he wrapped up Prescott, then stayed down. A cart came on the field for him.
The replay showed that as Hutchinson spun around while wrapping up Prescott, his leg hit a teammate. The force of the blow caused what looked like a broken leg for Hutchinson. Players from both sides came on the field as Hutchinson was being loaded on the cart, and an air cast was put on his injured left leg.
WARNING: The replay on Fox is graphic.
Aidan Hutchinson is down after the previous play. pic.twitter.com/1l1kTN7Blb
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 13, 2024
The scene in Dallas as the cart came out for Aidan Hutchinson 🙏Hutchinson is leading the NFL in sacks (6.5)(via @NFLonFOX)pic.twitter.com/z7EjBYPEDc
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 13, 2024
Lions head coach Dan Campbell confirmed after the game that Hutchinson will undergo surgery for a fracture in his leg, and that he'll stay in Dallas to get that done. A specific timeline for his recovery isn't known. The Lions confirmed after the game that Hutchinson sustained a tibia injury, but that it was not a compound fracture as initially thought.
"He's in good hands right now," Campbell said. "He's being taken care of ... Obviously he's going to be down for a little while. So that's tough, man. It's hard when you lose somebody like him."
Coach Campbell on Aidan Hutchinson pic.twitter.com/dlMIq3nQB0
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 14, 2024
The Lions led the Cowboys 34-6 at the time of Hutchinson's injury. They were on their way to improving to 4-1 and have looked like one of the best teams in the NFL. But losing Hutchinson for a while would severely impact their hopes of making the first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Impact on the Lions' Season
Hutchinson entered the game leading the NFL in sacks with 6½, highlighting his impact on the Lions' defense. The Lions selected Hutchinson second overall in the 2022 NFL draft. He had 21 sacks in his first two seasons with Detroit. This injury is a devastating blow to the Lions' defensive line, which was already facing a significant challenge without Hutchinson. While the Lions have shown resilience this season, losing Hutchinson will undoubtedly make their path to the playoffs more difficult. Without Hutchinson, the Lions lack a prolific pass rusher.
The Injury
The injury happened in the third quarter, with the Lions blowing out the Cowboys, 34-6. Hutchinson sacked quarterback Dak Prescott but appeared to fall to the ground in pain before the play even ended.
While the severity of the injury hasn’t officially been disclosed, it sure feels like Hutchinson will be out long-term.
Hutchinson's Future
Dr. Christopher Cooke, an orthopedic surgeon at DMC Orthopedics & Sports Medicine spoke about how quickly he expects an injury like Aiden Hutchinson's to heal. “The recovery from a broken tibia typically involves a period of immobilization, followed by a gradual rehabilitation process. This involves physical therapy to regain strength, range of motion, and stability in the injured leg. The duration of recovery depends on the severity of the fracture and individual factors like age and overall health. It is possible for athletes to return to their pre-injury level of performance after a broken tibia, but it requires a committed and structured rehabilitation program.”
Looking Ahead
The Lions will have to find a way to overcome the loss of their star pass rusher. They have a few other talented players on the defensive line, but they will have to step up their game. It will be a long road to recovery for Hutchinson, but he has shown resilience in the past. He'll likely be out for several weeks, but he has the talent and the work ethic to return to his pre-injury form.
Hutchinson's Impact on the Lions' Defense
The injury happened in the third quarter, with the Lions blowing out the Cowboys, 34-6. Hutchinson sacked quarterback Dak Prescott but appeared to fall to the ground in pain before the play even ended. The play where Hutchinson went down was a microcosm of the kind of impact he's had for the Lions. He recorded sack No. 7.5 in this game, which leads the NFL.
Lions' Defense Will Need to Adjust
The Lions' defense will have to find a way to adjust without Hutchinson. They are one of the best defenses in the league, but they will be tested without their star pass rusher.
The Future Is Uncertain
It's impossible to know how this injury will impact the Lions' season. They are still a talented team, but they will have to find a way to overcome the loss of Hutchinson. They have a bye next week, which gives them some time to figure out their plans. This injury is a reminder that the NFL is a brutal game, and things can change quickly. The Lions have the potential to make a deep run in the playoffs, but they will need to find a way to win without Hutchinson.
The Lions' defense will need to find a way to step up without Hutchinson. But they will have to find a way to win without him. Hutchinson could be seen mouthing "it's broken" on the broadcast. Trainers brought out an air cast and put it on him before carting him off the field.
