Lions fans are more a worried lot at the moment. This despite their impressive 47-9 win over the Cowboys. Their star edge rusher, Aidan Hutchinson, went down with a gruesome leg injury during the game. The hit was so brutal that Fox Network didn’t even air the replay. So, who serious is the injury, and more importantly, how long will it take for him to return to the field ?
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During the post-game press conference, Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated initially that Hutchinson required immediate surgery for a fractured tibia in the left leg. The PR team, however, quickly corrected Campbell, clarifying that it was not a compound fracture.
The recovery time for a fractured tibia can vary depending on the extend of the injury. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), most tibial shaft and plateau fractures take at least four to six months to heal completely. Then comes the rehab, strengthening and conditioning protocols.
The timeline could effectively rule out the Lions star for the rest of the season, and leaves little chance for him to contribute even if the Lions make a Super Bowl run in 2025. A big blow indeed for Campbell’s team.
Before being carted off, players from both teams came over to show Aidan Hutchinson some love pic.twitter.com/P5Ne4SI8iQ
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 13, 2024
Things could be even more tricky. As per the AAOS, some fractures may take even longer to heal in two scenarios. 1) If the fracture is open; 2) If the bone is broken into several pieces. Additionally, if the smaller bone in the lower leg, known as the fibula, is also broken, it complicates the recovery further.
There is no confirmation yet on the extent of Aidan’s injury, or whether there are these complications involved.
Earlier, Hutchinson performed brilliantly against the Cowboys, recording three tackles, a sack, and three quarterback hits. His contribution to limiting Dak Prescott’s mobility was instrumental in securing the victory for Lions.
Incidentally, he injured his leg while attempting to contain Prescott. After sacking Dak, Hutchinson’s leg bent sideways, after colliding with his teammate Alim McNeill.
The severity of Aidan’s case and a proper timeline for his return would be known only after more information comes from the attending medical professionals and the Lions’ management.
With Hutchinson sidelined for a few months, the Lions may explore trade options for pass rushers, possibly looking at Trey Hendrickson or Za’Darius Smith as potential replacements.
