The Detroit Lions may face a significant setback after Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys, as their star pass rusher could be out for an extended period.
Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson sustained a severe injury during the third quarter of the blowout against the Cowboys. While sacking quarterback Dak Prescott, Hutchinson collided with a teammate, causing his left leg to appear to snap. He was carted off the field, and trainers immediately applied an air cast, signaling a potentially serious injury. Players from both teams gathered in a show of support as Hutchinson was taken off.
Although the Lions have not provided an official diagnosis, there are fears that Hutchinson may have suffered a fracture that could sideline him for the rest of the season.
A Potentially Devastating Loss for the Lions
Hutchinson has been a key part of Detroit’s defense, leading the team with 7.5 sacks at the time of his injury. Derick Hutchinson of ClickonDetroit pointed out that losing Hutchinson long-term could derail the Lions’ Super Bowl aspirations.
“While the severity of the injury hasn’t officially been disclosed, it sure feels like Hutchinson will be out long-term,” he wrote. “Hutchinson is perhaps the most important player on the roster, and this injury is a crushing blow to the Lions’ Super Bowl hopes.”
Since joining the team as the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hutchinson has been the Lions’ most reliable pass rusher, with 28.5 total sacks and a Pro Bowl appearance last season. The third-year defensive end had also emerged as a vocal leader, expressing confidence that the team’s Super Bowl window had arrived.
“I think everyone has put everything into this upcoming year, and I feel like for the years to come as well, because it’s not our last year we’re all playing,” Hutchinson said before the season. “There’s a lot of great players on this team, and I think we could just have repeated success over the next few years.”
Lions’ Depth Tested on the Edge
Even before Hutchinson’s injury, some analysts suggested the Lions might need to bolster their pass rush at the trade deadline. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder noted that Detroit has struggled to generate consistent pressure outside of Hutchinson, and losing veteran edge rusher Marcus Davenport to a season-ending injury had only intensified the need for depth.
“Marcus Davenport is out for the season, which is a crushing injury for the Lions since he was supposed to be the defense’s second edge defender and take some of the pressure off Aidan Hutchinson,” Holder wrote in a September 30 report. “That leaves the cupboard pretty bare, so the front office should see if it can swing a deal with the Jets.”
If Hutchinson is out for an extended period, it could further increase the Lions’ urgency to make a move to shore up their defense. Despite the injuries, the team is in the playoff hunt, improving to 4-1 with Sunday’s victory over the Cowboys.
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