The Detroit Lions have faced numerous injuries throughout the season, but none have been as significant as the one to star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson was on pace for a career-best season and a potential Defensive Player of the Year award before suffering a broken tibia and fibula in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Since then, there have been reports suggesting that Hutchinson could return by the Super Bowl if the Lions make it that far. One report even raised the possibility of him coming back for the NFC Championship Game.
In a recent podcast appearance, Hutchinson provided clarity on his target return date, putting an end to the speculation. Here’s what he had to say.
Aidan Hutchinson injury update
Hutchinson joined “The Squeeze” podcast, hosted by Lions fan and actor Taylor Lautner, where he confirmed he is aiming to return by the Super Bowl.
“I’m on track for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl,” Hutchinson stated. “And so, I keep telling all the boys when I see them in the (Lions) facility, ‘you’ve just got to get there. And I promise you I’m going to be back’.”
You can watch Hutchinson’s full comments in the clip below.
FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer recently shared an even more optimistic view, reporting that the Lions are hopeful Hutchinson might return for the NFC Championship Game.
“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,” Glazer explained. “(Coach) Dan Campbell says also, (it depends on) how much practice he gets.”
A return for the NFC Championship Game always seemed unlikely, as Hutchinson would need to recover weeks before his four-to-six month recovery window. Even a return by the Super Bowl would be ahead of schedule, but Hutchinson clearly has a chance.
After hearing all the reports on Hutchinson’s condition, it’s reassuring to hear it from him directly, offering hope for his return. However, this will all become irrelevant if the Lions don’t make a playoff run.
