Aidan Hutchinson injury update: Detroit Lions star makes Super Bowl promise
Detroit Lions (12-2) edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson has been sidelined since mid-October after undergoing surgery to repair his broken tibia and fibula.
Hutchinson’s absence has left a big hole on Detroit’s defense, but the Pro Bowler is hoping to return to the lineup if the Lions advance to the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
“I’m on track for my goal of returning for the Super Bowl,” Hutchinson said on “The Squeeze” podcast. “And so, I keep telling all the boys when I see them in the facility, I’m like, ‘You guys just gotta get there and I promise you, I’m gonna be back.’ I tell people that and my mom — I remember we were talking yesterday and she’s like, ‘Aidan, what if you don’t get back? Like, what if you can’t.’ And I was like, ‘There’s no other way.'”
Aidan Hutchinson targeting Super Bowl return
Hutchinson, 24, looked like the frontrunner for the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award before sustaining the injury in the Week 6 road win over the Dallas Cowboys (6-8). Hutchinson tallied a then league-leading 7.5 sacks in five games, to go along with 19 tackles (12 solo) and 17 quarterback hits.
The Lions did not skip a beat without Hutchinson, going on an 11-game winning streak before falling to the Buffalo Bills (11-3), 48-42, in Week 15 this past Sunday. The injuries have only continued to pile up, with 13 defensive players on injured reserve entering the game versus the Bills. Cornerback Carlton Davis III then suffered a fractured jaw, cornerback Khalil Dorsey a season-ending ankle injury and defensive tackle Alim McNeill a torn ACL — all against Buffalo. Running back David Montgomery also sprained his MCL in the loss.
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Dan Campbell delivers impassioned speech about Detroit Lions overcoming injuries
Head coach Dan Campbell, speaking on 97.1 The Ticket on Tuesday morning, delivered an impassioned message about his team overcoming injuries. A fired-up Campbell dropped two F-bombs while explaining why his team can win in spite of the injuries.
“We got kicked around the other day, we lost a few guys and you know what? It was exactly what we needed,” Campbell said. “We’re gonna bounce back, we’re gonna respond. We got guys that are about to have an unbelievable opportunity here. And we will play the game any way needed to win. We still got a good offense; We got plenty of good defensive players. I can go and rattle them off right now. We’re gonna put the best 11 on the field. We’re gonna cut it loose, we’re gonna play with our special teams. And I don’t give a crap if we gotta win by one point for the rest of the year.
“That’s what we’re gonna do and I’m gonna be happy about it. We come out of the game with 50 yards of total offense, and we win by one? You’re gonna see smiles on my face, I promise you. If it’s the other way defensively and we give up 700 yards and we win by one point? You’re gonna see a f****** smile from my ear to ear, I can promise you. We’re gonna find a way and we’re gonna get it done.”