The Detroit Lions should have been celebrating on Monday.
They had just defeated the Dallas Cowboys 47-9, which was their strongest performance under coach Dan Campbell. Fox commentator Tom Brady even said he thought they were the best team in the NFC.
However, instead of celebrating, they are dealing with the broken leg of star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Hutchinson, who has been the best pass rusher in the league this season, stayed in the Dallas area on Monday to have surgery on his fractured tibia and fibula.
“The surgery went great — it is all good news — but man, Hutch is a captain for us, a highly productive player and a great teammate who does everything the right way,” Campbell said. “So, look, it hurts. It hurts to lose somebody like that — not only the player, but the person.”
The expected recovery time is 4 to 6 months, which means Hutchinson could be back for training camp in 2025. However, Campbell isn’t ready to give up on his 2024 season just yet.
“I would never count Hutch out,” he said. “Yeah, it is probably a long road ahead, but I would never say he can’t do it. If anyone can make it back, it’s him.”
Even if Hutchinson returns in January, the Lions need to find a way to replace his pass rush for the next 12 games. One option could be trading for someone like Raiders star Maxx Crosby, but Campbell doesn’t think general manager Brad Holmes will rush into any decisions.
“(Injuries) come up every year, and Brad is always looking for ways to get better,” he said. “Is there someone out there who can potentially help us? At what cost? It has to be right — everything has to be right. Honestly, I believe in the guys that are here.”
“We’re looking and we’re evaluating.”
