Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson recently discussed the progress he’s made in his rehab, stating that he’s almost done with the process. “I’m there. I’d say I’m good,” Hutchinson told Marty Smith. He explained that after his final evaluation tests, he’ll be officially cleared from rehab. “It’s been a long road, but I’m ready to finish it off,” he added. Hutchinson’s injury occurred in Week 6 during a dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys, cutting short what was shaping up to be a fantastic season. At the time, he had already recorded 7.5 sacks, 19 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, and 7 tackles for loss. His standout performance came in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he tallied 4.5 sacks, surpassing any other Lion’s total for the entire season.
The Lions had hoped Hutchinson might make a miraculous return in time for a Super Bowl run, and he even expressed optimism about his recovery in mid-December. However, after the Lions were eliminated by the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round, Hutchinson was able to continue his rehab without the pressure of a looming deadline. Reflecting on the process, Hutchinson described the recovery as challenging but rewarding. “The early stages were tough, but now that I’m through it, I really appreciate being pain-free and able to run again,” he said. He mentioned the positive response to a video of him sprinting, which led to an outpouring of support from fans and teammates alike.
The 12 games Hutchinson missed in the 2024 season marked the first time he had ever been sidelined in his NFL career, having previously started all 42 games since joining the league. Before that, he had been a fixture on the field at Michigan, where he had also played in three full seasons before a broken ankle ended his junior year. Although this injury was the most significant of his career, Hutchinson emphasized how it gave him a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by injured players. “Being taken out of the game really gave me empathy for others who go through similar situations. It’s a whole different side of the sport that I wouldn’t have known without this experience,” he concluded.
