While the Detroit Lions earned a decisive victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, they also suffered a brutal loss that will impact them for the rest of the NFL season.
Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, one of the NFL’s early favorites for Defensive Player of the Year honors, went down with a gruesome leg injury early in the second half of Sunday’s Week 6 game. Let’s break down the latest on Hutchinson’s status.
What Happened to Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson in Week 6?
Hutchinson stayed down on the field after sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott near the start of the third quarter.
Hutchinson’s lower left leg made contact with Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill and appeared to snap.
FOX’s broadcast did not show a replay of Hutchinson’s injury. We’ve included the play below, but be warned that it’s a horrific injury to watch.
Hutchinson’s teammates began kneeling on the field as he received medical attention. Detroit’s medical staff put an air cast on Hutchinson’s left leg before he was carted off the field. The Lions ruled Hutchinson out almost immediately with a lower leg injury.
Here is the play on which Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson is hurt:
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 13, 2024
The next day, the Lions announced that Hutchinson underwent successful surgery for a fractured tibia and fibula in Irving, Texas.
While Hutchinson has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Lions believe Hutchinson has a realistic chance of returning for the Super Bowl if the team is able to advance that far.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the same thing, saying “there is a real chance” Hutchinson could play in the big game since his fracture was a clean break with no ligament damage or nerve damage.
On Sunday, Oct. 20, Hutchinson shared an update in a video posted to social media.
“We are one week out from surgery. The first days were a little rough, but now we are on the road to recovery and just attacking each day,” Hutchinson said. “I want to thank all of the kids who made me videos.
“I want to thank all my teammates, all the fans, all of the support all over social media. It’s been amazing and I’m doing great, just pushing through. I got to see the Lions win today; it’s a big win. I’m so happy for ’em, and we’re going to keep pushing and just taking this thing day by day.”
An update from Aidan Hutchinson himself🥹#OnePride pic.twitter.com/PSMzKeStuy
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) October 20, 2024
Losing Hutchinson is a brutal blow to the Lions, as he is their best defensive player (and arguably the best defender in the NFL). Hutchinson got hurt while reaching 7.5 sacks (the most in the NFL at the time).
Hutchinson manufactured much of his sack production on his own. He generated pressure on a league-league 23.6% of his pass rushes, nearly five percentage points better than second-place Micah Parsons and more than double the league-average rate. Hutchinson also ranked first among edge defenders in pass-rush win rate (34%).
Could the Lions Pursue a Pass-Rusher?
Hutchinson isn’t the only Detroit edge rusher who’s suffered a severe injury this season.
Marcus Davenport, whom the Lions inked to a one-year deal worth $6.5 million in March, went down with a season-ending triceps injury in Week 3.
Dan Campbell only has three healthy edge rushers on his roster: 2022 second-rounder Josh Paschal, 2022 sixth-rounder James Houston (a healthy scratch on Sunday), and rookie undrafted free agent Isaac Ukwu.
Given how few options remain on Detroit’s roster, Lions DC Aaron Glenn might be forced to deploy nominal DT Levi Onwuzurike on the edge. Onwuzurike had lined up outside the opposing offensive tackle 33 times entering Week 6, per Pro Football Focus’ charting.
Will the Lions make a move before the NFL’s Nov. 5 trade deadline?
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Detroit “checked in” on New York Jets edge rusher Haason Reddick, proving that they are actively looking for pass-rushers. However, Reddick isn’t an option since he just ended his holdout on Sunday.
The Lions had $28+ million in available cap space — fourth-most in the NFL — before extending DT Alim McNeill this week. General manager Brad Holmes and Co. can afford to add a pass rusher.
Would the Carolina Panthers be open to moving Jadeveon Clowney if they keep losing? The Denver Broncos have a pair of pending free agent EDGEs — Baron Browning and Jonathon Cooper — who could be available. Deals for Cleveland Browns pass rushers Za’Darius Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo might also intrigue the Lions.
Hutchinson’s NFL Résumé
Detroit made Hutchinson the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft after a four-year starting career at the University of Michigan.
Hutchinson, who played high school football in Dearborn, Michigan, was dominant in his final collegiate campaign. He set the Wolverines’ single-season sack record (14), was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, and earned unanimous All-American honors.
Hutchinson came out firing in his rookie year, posting three sacks in his second NFL start. He finished the year with 9.5 sacks and came in second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting (behind Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner).
Hutchinson’s sack production only increased from 9.5 to 11.5 from his rookie year to his sophomore season, but his underlying metrics did a much better job of illustrating his significant leap.
He more than doubled his quarterback hits (from 15 to 33) and went from 53 pressures as a rookie to 101 last year. Triple-digit pressure totals are rarified air. Future Hall of Famers like Aaron Donald and J.J. Watt hit that mark, while Parsons and Maxx Crosby reached 100+ pressures after the NFL added a 17th game in 2021.