As the football world continues to be impressed by the season the Detroit Lions are having, one thing that isn't talked about enough nationally is the sheer amount of injuries the team has had to overcome, with star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson being among them.
Hutchinson was on pace for a career year and Defensive Player of the Year honors before he suffered a broken tibia and fibula during the Week 6 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
It goes without saying how devastating of a blow the injury is to the Lions' defense, as Hutchison will miss a significant amount of time. However, there is hope that Hutchinson could be back if the Lions make it to the Super Bowl.
Aidan Hutchinson injury update
Hutchinson is already in the midst of his recovery a little over one month after the injury. According to a video posted to his Instagram, Hutchinson has begun taking steps in a pool.
"One step at a time," Hutchinson wrote in the post.
Could Aidan Hutchinson play again this season?
According to a report last month from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Hutchinson suffered a clean break, which puts his recovery timeline at four to six months.
And, with Hutchinson suffering the injury a shade under four months out from the Big Game, there's a chance he could make it back by the Super Bowl if the Lions make it that far, Rapoport added.
"Sources say there are several factors that point to Hutchinson potentially being back at the early benchmark of four months -- which would be right at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025 -- provided Detroit makes it, of course," he wrote. "Though Hutchinson's injury was horrific and chilling to watch, the fracture itself was actually a clean break, sources say. There was no ligament damage. There was no nerve damage. The kinds of issues that can result with such a serious break were not present -- very good news."
Again, Hutchinson would have to be back right before the given timeline, which still makes it unlikely. But clearly there is at least some optimism that he'll be able to give it a go if the Lions find themselves playing in February.
