The Lions experienced an impressive win today in a dominant performance over the Cowboys. In the midst of that victory, though, the team suffered a brutal loss. As star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson tackled quarterback Dak Prescott for the team’s third sack of the day, Hutchinson appeared to suffer a serious leg injury.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that Hutchinson would stay in Dallas for immediate treatment and that “obviously he’s going to be down for a little while.” Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported that Hutchinson would be undergoing immediate surgery for a broken tibia, an injury he reported to be “season-ending.” The Lions will likely have more tests performed and treatments done before coming to that conclusion themselves.
As Hutchinson descended to the ground in the third quarter, bringing Prescott down with him, cameras could just pick up what appeared to be a bend in Hutchinson’s leg below the knee, a gruesome indicator of a broken bone. The medical carts were rushed onto the field, where an aircast was applied to his left leg before he was carted off the field into the locker room, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pelissero’s colleague Ian Rapoport followed that up with a quick report that Hutchinson had been ruled out for the remainder of the game with a lower leg injury.
The NFL’s No. 2 overall draft pick in 2022, Hutchinson has lived up to his draft stock so far. As a rookie, Hutchinson was dynamic all over the field. Not only did he make plays on an improved defense as a pass rusher, totaling 9.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits, but he added value as a disruptive force, as well. Hutchinson also tallied nine tackles for loss, three passes defensed, three interceptions, and two fumble recoveries during his rookie campaign.
Hutchinson avoided a sophomore slump, improving on his rookie numbers with 11.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 33 quarterback hits, one interception, seven passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and two more fumble recoveries. In only four games in 2024, Hutchinson was showing signs of improvement once again. He entered the day with 6.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, and a forced fumble, all stats that were on track for new career highs. He added a sack, a tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits before exiting today’s contest.
Hutchinson’s injury is only the latest of what has been a slew of injuries in Detroit this year….