Four years ago, Dak Prescott suffered a severe injury during Week 5 of the 2020 season, fracturing and dislocating his right ankle in a gruesome play, with a bone piercing his skin.
Fast-forward to a recent Detroit Lions game at AT&T Stadium, where they routed the Cowboys 47-9. However, tragedy struck when Lions’ defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was on the verge of sacking Prescott, only to have his leg tangled with a teammate, leading to a broken tibia and fibula.
Medical experts believe this injury will likely sideline Hutchinson for the rest of the season.
Still, a recent update on Hutchinson’s rehab offers Detroit a glimmer of hope for a possible Super Bowl return. Encouraging words from fellow players like Prescott – especially five particular words – could be inspiring him.
“I just told him to keep his head up,” Prescott recounted of his brief message to Hutchinson as the player was carted off the field. “It’s part of the story. I know it’s tough to see right now, but from what I’ve seen of him, he’ll come back stronger. I told him, it’s part of his story.”
This mindset has been a recurring theme for Prescott: “It’s part of my story.” Hutchinson’s own story may now include a remarkable comeback, as ESPN reports he has “a realistic chance” of returning for the Lions if they make it to the Super Bowl on February 9.
Earlier this week, Coach Dan Campbell confirmed Hutchinson was placed on injured reserve, estimating a four to six-month recovery. This timeline seems reasonable.
However, the hope of playing in the Super Bowl could motivate Hutchinson during his rehabilitation. Known for his drive – as evidenced by his 7.5 sacks for the 4-1 Lions this season – and with support from experienced players like Prescott, Hutchinson’s Super Bowl dreams might just be possible.
