Less than 24 hours after potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate Aidan Hutchinson underwent surgery to repair his fractured tibia and fibula, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this, strongly: "I would never count him out."
The Lions' star pass rusher faces a long road to recovery following surgery after last Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys, with Campbell estimating Hutchinson's rehab time to be 4-6 months. Campbell clearly left the door open intentionally and with good reasons.
Sources say there are several factors that point to Hutchinson potentially being back at the early benchmark of four months -- which would be right at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025 -- provided Detroit makes it, of course.
Though Hutchinson’s injury was horrific and chilling to watch, the fracture itself was actually a clean break, sources say. There was no ligament damage. There was no nerve damage. The kinds of issues that can result with such a serious break were not present -- very good news.
The other piece of good news was serendipitous. Because the game played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Baylor University Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center, was nearby. And Baylor just happens to feature Dr. Alan Jones, who is the medical director of orthopedic trauma services there.
Jones is also one of the nation’s experts in tibia and fibula repairs.
Upon arrival, Hutchinson found Jones present and waiting for him, accelerating the process and leading to a seamless and successful surgery. That could also lead to a quicker recovery.
A lot must happen for Hutchinson to be back on the field in New Orleans. But at least, there is a real chance.
As far as after the season, the Lions and Hutchinson, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 draft, are allowed to begin working on a new deal for the player who led the NFL with 7.5 sacks before his injury. No doubt, that deal is expected to make him one of the, if not the, highest-paid defenders in the NFL.
Recent history shows Detroit has been proactive in taking care of their best players and Hutchinson could be the latest. The hope is first there is still business to take care of on the field.
“I would say if anybody can make it back it would be him,” Campbell said.