The Detroit Lions’ defense has been hit hard by injuries in recent months, with linebacker Malcolm “Rodrigo” Rodriguez suffering a torn ACL during the Thanksgiving Day game against the Chicago Bears. Along with other setbacks, the team also lost their star defensive end, Aidan Hutchinson, to a broken leg earlier this season. Hutchinson, a former Michigan Wolverines player and the number two overall draft pick, has been working hard on his recovery in recent weeks.
On Thursday, Tracy Wolfson provided an update on Hutchinson’s recovery, sharing some positive news that may have gone unnoticed due to the excitement surrounding the Bears’ botched late-game drive. Wolfson revealed that Hutchinson had reached a new milestone in his recovery, arriving at the game without the use of crutches for the first time.
This progress offers hope that Hutchinson could make a return to the field should the Lions make it to Super Bowl LIX. While the injury has kept him out for several games, the news of Hutchinson walking without crutches marks an encouraging step in his recovery.
Despite being sidelined for most of the season, Hutchinson remains among the top performers in the NFL in terms of sacks. He ranks 14th in the league with 7.5 sacks, having played in just five games. His impressive performance is all the more remarkable considering the limited number of games he’s participated in.
Hutchinson is only four sacks behind the current leader in sacks, Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals, who has accumulated 11.5 sacks through 11 games. Hutchinson’s potential return could be a significant boost for the Lions’ defense as they push for a playoff spot.
Another notable contributor to the Lions’ defense this season is new trade acquisition Za’Darius Smith, who has recorded seven sacks. Smith’s performance is just half a sack behind Hutchinson’s current total, despite Hutchinson’s injury.
Overall, Hutchinson’s recovery represents a beacon of hope for the Lions as they continue to deal with a banged-up defense. Should the team make it to the Super Bowl, Hutchinson’s return could be a pivotal moment in their pursuit of a championship.
