Detroit Lions standout Aidan Hutchinson has shared an important update regarding his health and return to action following a tough injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely.
The defensive end fractured his leg during a game against the Dallas Cowboys in October, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. Since then, Hutchinson has been on a demanding journey through rehabilitation. Fans first saw signs of his recovery in February when he posted a video of himself sprinting—now he’s given a more in-depth update during an appearance at The Masters while speaking with ESPN’s Marty Smith.
Nearly Back to Full Strength
In the interview, Hutchinson reflected on the difficult months following the injury. He acknowledged that the initial phase of rehab was particularly challenging but expressed gratitude for being near the finish line.
“The early days were rough,” Hutchinson admitted. “But once you get past that, you gain a new respect for just being pain-free and able to move again. I’m thankful to be past that stage now.”
He noted that the video of him sprinting received an overwhelmingly positive reaction, something he hadn’t expected. Messages of support poured in from fans and fellow athletes alike.
Now, the 2022 first-round draft pick says he’s just one step away from wrapping up his recovery.
“I’m just about there,” Hutchinson said. “I’ve got one final round of evaluations when I get back—heading home tomorrow to complete those. Once that’s done, rehab is over. It’s been a long ride.”
Detroit had previously hinted that Hutchinson was progressing well and might have returned if the team had made it to the Super Bowl. However, their playoff journey ended early with a divisional-round loss to the Washington Commanders, despite entering the postseason as the NFC’s top seed.
Detroit Aims to Bolster Defensive Line
After Hutchinson’s injury, the Lions struggled to consistently pressure quarterbacks. They added veteran pass rusher Za’Darius Smith before the trade deadline in an attempt to strengthen their front seven, but defensive inconsistencies persisted. Hutchinson, before his injury, had already posted 7.5 sacks, 19 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in just five games.
Looking ahead, Detroit is expected to address this area in the upcoming NFL Draft. There’s speculation that the Lions may use their first-round pick to secure another dynamic edge rusher to pair with Hutchinson. USA Today’s Russell Brown even suggested the team could trade up—potentially to pick No. 15—in order to land one of the draft’s premier defensive ends, such as Mykel Williams from Georgia or Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M.
Brown wrote, “If Detroit moves up, it’ll likely be for a defensive lineman. Both Williams and Stewart could immediately boost the Lions’ front. Given they probably won’t be available by pick 28, trading up might be necessary to land the right fit.”
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