Aidan Hutchinson injury: Lions 'holding out hope' for return for NFC Championship
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 15: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions runs onto the field before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field on September 15, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. The Buccaneers beat the Lions 20-16. (Photo by
FOX 2 - There's room for optimism that Lions star Aidan Hutchison may be back from his broken leg even before the Super Bowl, says one new NFL report.
According to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, Hutchinson could see the field as early as the NFC Championship game if the Lions (12-1) are still playing at that point. Hutchison suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6's win against the Cowboys.
On "The Inside Scoop" Glazer said the Lions are holding out hope Hutchinson could return early due in part, to his relentless work ethic.
"He's actually doing some underwater running on an underwater treadmill," Glazer said. "He's able to walk on land, as they say, he's supposed to use a cane but he's not really using it right now.
"Just because of how hard he works, that he could possibly be back (by) not the Super Bowl, but the NFC Championship game depending on how the bone feels. (Coach) Dan Campbell says also, (it depends on) how much practice he gets.
Hutchinson's break was clean and no ligaments or nerves were damaged, the team said, which projected his recovery at four to six months.
"It hurts to lose somebody like him, not only the player but the person," Campbell said on DetroitLions.com at the time. "I would never count Hutch out (returning before 4-6 months), ever. Long road, but I'll never count him out and I would say if anybody can make it back it would be him."
While sacking Dak Prescott, Hutchinson immediately reached down for his lower left leg. Hutchinson could be seen mouthing "it's broken" on the broadcast.
At the time, Hutchinson was the NFL's sack leader and finished his season with 7.5 sacks in five games.