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Lions' Aidan Hutchinson returns to Michigan, doesn't 'want to be a stranger' during rehab

Richard Silva, The Detroit News on

Published in Football

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell wants to make sure superstar pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson knows one thing during his rehab: He's always got a place at the facility.

Hutchinson broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg in the third quarter of Detroit's 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The injury occurred while Hutchinson swung around in an effort to sack Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Hutchinson's leg collided with teammate Alim McNeill, and Hutchinson was transported to a Dallas-area hospital for immediate surgery.

Now back in Detroit, Hutchinson spoke with Campbell on Tuesday.

"He’s doing good. He's trying to process everything," Campbell said Wednesday. "It’s still pretty new. Just exactly, 'What is this? Where do I go?' Which you would expect. I mean, he’s laying in the hospital room with his leg up."

Hutchinson will rehab during what Campbell recently described as a four-to-six-month recovery timeline. The injury ends Hutchinson's regular season, but Campbell kept the door ajar for a potential comeback during the postseason.

The Super Bowl is scheduled for Feb. 9, just under four months removed from Hutchinson's injury. The Detroit News reported Sunday night that a source close to Hutchinson said the injury appears less severe than a worst-case scenario, and Hutchinson might be able to return for the Super Bowl, should the Lions make it.

In the meantime, Detroit will be tasked with creating pass rush without their star, who still leads the NFL in sacks (7 1/2) and pressures (45). Campbell was consistent in his messaging Wednesday regarding a potential trade, noting how "nothing’s off the table, but we’re just not in a hurry" to make a move.

 

The Lions are expected to use a committee approach in Hutchinson's absence. Josh Paschal will likely see the majority of edge reps, while others such as Levi Onwuzurike and Trevor Nowaske will also chip in. Isaac Ukwu, Mitchell Agude, Cam Gill or Al-Quadin Muhammad can be elevated to the practice squad to help, too.

Detroit added third-year pass rusher Isaiah Thomas to the active roster Tuesday, signing him from Cincinnati's practice squad.

"I know that he didn’t want to be a stranger," Campbell said of Hutchinson potentially being around the facility while he heals. "I know he talked about being back a little bit when it made sense, and he knows he's welcome here anytime. We would love to see him. The whole team would love to see him.

"He’s a huge part of what we are, and we hate it for him. But yeah, so we’ll see."

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