Aidan Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula in his left leg when the Detroit Lions beat the Dallas Cowboys 47-9 during a Week 6 contest. He missed the balance of the regular season and will miss the playoffs. However, he is optimistic about making it back for the Super Bowl in New Orleans, should the No.1-seeded Lions run the table through the NFC playoffs.
In December he said, “I keep telling all the boys when I see them in the facility, I’m like ‘You guys just have to get there, and I promise you I’m gonna be back.”
Hutchinson Believes He Will Be Back for the Super Bowl Should the Lions Advance
Lions coach Dan Campbell said in October, when he sustained the injury he felt Hutchinson would return sooner than people originally thought. Instead of returning at the beginning of next season, Hutchinson has plans on playing in the Super Bowl should the Lions make it.
“I would never count Hutch out, ever. So yeah, probably a long road,” Campbell said. “But I would never count him out and I would say if anybody can make it back it’s him.”
Hutchinson sacked Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott near the start of the third quarter in Week 6, and when his leg made contact with Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill, it appeared to snap.
Immediately, it was clear that the injury was serious. FOX refused to show the replay because it was so gruesome, and his teammates began kneeling as the Lions’ medical staff put an air cast on Hutchinson’s leg. He was carted off the field and ruled out.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Lions believe Hutchinson has a realistic chance of returning for Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans should the Lions reach it.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport echoed this sentiment, 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.
More progress is being made with Aidan Hutchinson’s under water jogging 💙
🎥: IG/houseofhutch | #OnePride pic.twitter.com/5sQDAkWWx1
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) December 30, 2024
“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.”
Thanksgiving brought a small milestone in Hutchinson’s road back. As CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson noted, Hutchinson arrived at a game without crutches for the first time, signaling tangible progress in his recovery.
