The Detroit Lions have lost the heart and soul of their defense to a gruesome leg injury. Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson was carted off the field after suffering a leg injury which was later diagnosed as a broken tibia in the third quarter of Sunday’s blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Hutchinson was injured while sacking quarterback Dak Prescott. With the Cowboys signal caller in his clutches, Hutchinson’s left leg jammed into teammate Alim McNeill, who was also going after Prescott.
After the game, Lions coach Dan Campbell announced that Hutchinson had immediate surgery for a fracture of his tibia, according to Pro Football Talk.
“Hate it for Hutch. That’s tough,” Campbell said. “It was tough. He’s in good hands right now. He’s being taken care of. He’ll stay back here, and obviously he’s going to be down a little while, so that’s tough, and it’s hard when you lose somebody like him. We’ll know a lot more after this and obviously wish him the best.”
The third-year defensive end, out of the University of Mississippi, was on the turf for several minutes in obvious agony and pain as the Lions’ medical staff rendered aid to him. His leg was immobilized and placed in an air cast before he was carted off the field with players from both teams surrounding him lending their support and wishing him the best. To no one’s surprise, Hutchinson was quickly ruled out of the game following his exit.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Lions had the game in hand with a 34-6 lead over the Cowboys at the time of Hutchinson’s injury.
Detroit went on to win, 47-9, to secure a 4-1 record coming off their bye week, but any celebrations following the route were silenced to a whisper considering they lost their anchor and most consistent defender with what is no doubt a serious injury.
Hutchinson came into Week 6 as the league’s leading sack-getter (6.5) and is the leader of the Lions’ tenacious defense. Since making his debut in 2021, the former No. 2 overall pick has lived up to his reputation that proceeded him in college as an absolute game-wrecker, collecting 27.5 sacks in 38 games played.
The 24-year-old kicked off his 2024 campaign even stronger and better than ever, if that is possible, highlighting his sack-leading effort with a 4.5-sack game against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2.
The Lions continue their road trip in Week 7 to face the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings in a pivotal NFC North matchup.
