End of season: Detroit’s Hutchinson breaks his tibia

The Detroit Lions will be without Aidan Hutchinson for the remainder of the season.
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Midway through the third period, Hutchinson tackled Cowboys playmaker Dak Prescott to the ground. It quickly became clear that the Lions’ edge rusher must have suffered a more serious injury. His team members and Cowboys players form a circle, and several doctors took care of Hutchinson. The 24-year-old was eventually driven out of AT&T Stadium in the car.

After the game, Detroit head coach Dan Campbell confirmed that Hutchinson had broken his left tibia. Hutchinson was immediately taken to a clinic, where he will spend the next period of time undergoing further examinations and will also undergo surgery.

“It’s hard to lose someone like him,” Campbell said after the party. “But he is in good hands here and we wish him only the very best.”

Leader in sacks and quarterback pressures

With Hutchinson, the Lions are losing the heart of their defense. Since 2021, the 2-meter-tall, 120-pound powerhouse has collected 27.5 sacks in 38 games. This season he leads the league in this category with 7.5 sacks. With his explosiveness, the defensive end developed into one of the most feared edge rushers in the NFL; no other player has put more pressure on the opposing quarterback in the six games so far than Hutchinson. At this early stage of the season he was already being discussed as a hot candidate for the title of “Defensive Player of the Year” – this award is now likely to go to another player.

His serious injury is not only a bitter setback for him and his family, but also a bitter loss for the Lions’ defense. However, his loss could open the door for James Houston again. The linebacker has also been used as a pass rusher by the Lions since his NFL debut and had a strong 8.0 sacks and forced a fumble in his rookie season in 2022. However, he broke his ankle last September and missed almost the entire 2023 season. And this summer he was set back by a bruised knee during preseason.

But now it could be his hour again – although there are other defensive ends available in Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike and Isaac Ukwu who can slip into Hutchinson’s role. Whatever the case, Head Coach Campbell should make his decision as quickly as possible. Because for the Lions – who after the gala performance at the Cowboys have four wins and only one defeat and also received special praise from Tom Brady – the next game day will see the top duel in the NFC North against the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings (5 :0) on.