Ever since his brutal leg injury against the Dallas Cowboys last October, we’ve been patiently awaiting the return of Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. A month ago at The Masters golf tournament, Hutchinson revealed he was in the final stages of his rehab, and that appears to have been the truth.
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On Thursday, Impact Sports Performance shared a video of Hutchinson training at a practice facility, and he looks completely unimpeded. He’s literally doing everything from bending the edge, exploding out of his stance, and sprinting at full speed on an inclined treadmill.
The Lions opened offseason workouts about a week ago, and it’s unclear if Hutchinson has taken part yet. What will be more telling is whether the Lions defensive end will take part in Organized Team Activities (OTAs), which include more on-field work plus 7-on-7s and 9-on-9s (without contact). The Lions OTA sessions, which are voluntary, are from May 28-30 and June 3-5. Detroit cancelled mandatory minicamp this year due to the team participating in the Hall of Fame Game this year, expanding their training camp and preseason schedules.
Hutchinson’s involvement in the team’s offseason program may also depend on his contract situation. After exercising his fifth-year option last week, the Lions have Hutchinson under contract through the 2026 season. However, Lions general manager Brad Holmes has expressed the desire to get a deal done soon.
Last week, Holmes was asked if a Hutchinson deal getting done will rely upon what happens with other defensive ends who may be seeking a new deal (Micah Parsons, T.J. Watt, etc.). Holmes didn’t provide much clarity.
“Unfortunately we just don’t have any control over that. If [Parsons] gets his deal done, he gets his deal done, but we have our internal communication and process and plan in place,” Holmes said. “So you just—unfortunately you can’t control those other things. I know—you try to get in front of some things, or that, but you obviously don’t have control over it.”
