Wolverines in the NFL: Aidan Hutchinson had taken game to another level before injury
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson — one of the top performing Michigan Wolverines football players in the NFL — went down with a gruesome left leg injury (fractured tibia and fibula) in a 47-9 win Oct. 13. He underwent surgery immediately after being rushed to the hospital and will be out indefinitely.
In true Hutchinson fashion, the injury occurred while he was notching a sack on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Though his leg had already been broken, the third-year pro finished the play, bringing his sack total up to a league-leading 7.5. The 6-7, 268-pound 24-year-old now has 28.5 sacks in his career but will likely have to wait until next season to add to that figure.
“He’s a guy who’s a part of the heartbeat of this team,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “He’s a leader, does everything right, he’s a great teammate. … He will be fine. He’s going to come back eventually — whenever that may be — and knowing him, he will be fine and bounce back.”
The Lions didn’t have a defender with more than 2.5 sacks after the game in which Hutchinson went down.
“It’s hard when you lose somebody like him,” head coach Dan Campbell said.
Campbell gave the timeline of four-to-six months for Hutchinson’s recovery but said he wouldn’t “count out” the star to return sooner. The four-month mark would mean he could come back for the Super Bowl if the Lions reach their first in franchise history.
Hutchinson was having his best season yet before going down, leading the betting odds for NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He isn’t just leading the NFL in sacks, but his constant pressure was rare, too.
“Hutchinson’s season-ending broken leg dealt an emotional blow,” The Athletic‘s Mike Sando wrote. “Longer term, his absence could make the difference between reaching the Super Bowl or falling short. Hutchinson has been that good while posting the NFL’s highest pressure rate since 2019 (first eight games, minimum 150 pass rush snaps).
Per Sando, Hutchinson’s 24.4-percent pressure rate was the most for any player from games 1-8 from 2019-24.
| Pass-Rusher | Sacks (Games) | Pressure % |
|---|---|---|
| Aidan Hutchinson | 7.5 (5) | 24.4% |
| Micah Parsons (2023) | 7.5 (8) | 22.0% |
| Dexter Lawrence (2023) | 3.0 (8) | 20.7% |
| Nick Bosa (2019) | 7.0 (8) | 20.5% |
| Trey Hendrickson (2023) | 8.0 (8) | 20.3% |
| Za’Darius Smith (2022) | 8.5 (8) | 20.3% |
According to PFF, in addition, Hutchinson’s 49.5-percent pass-rush win rate was first in the league … with the next-best player, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, checking in at 39.1, over 10 points less.
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 6:
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Erick All (played at Michigan from 2019-21), TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Made 2 catches for 10 yards in a 17-7 victory over the New York Giants Sunday night … Hauled in 16 catches for 102 yards in six games with four starts for the 2-4 Bengals.
AJ Barner (2023), TE, Seattle Seahawks
Made 1 catch for 13 yards in a36-24 setback to the San Francisco 49ers Thursday night … The former Michigan tight end has in 7 catches for 66 yards and his first career touchdown for the 3-3 Seahawks.
Ronnie Bell (2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Played but did not have any stats in a 36-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks … Appeared in five tilts for the 3-3 49ers, making 1 catch for 12 yards.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Started in a 51-27 victory over the New Orleans Saints, allowing 2 pressures and posting a 51.8 overall PFF rating … Opened all six games at left guard for the 4-2 Buccaneers, registering a 51.6 overall PFF grade.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Cleveland Browns
Had 6 tackles in a 20-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Played in six outings with two starts for the 1-5 Browns, compiling 23 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB, Seattle Seahawks
Registered 20 yards on 5 carries and ha a 15-yard reception in a 36-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers … Started two games while starter Kenneth Walker III was injured … Appeared in all six tilts for the 3-3 Seahawks, rushing 49 times for 187 yards and 3 touchdowns and catching 19 passes for 149 yards and a score.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Currently out with a hamstring injury … Started all five games in which he’s appeared for the 5-1 Texans, with 32 receptions for 567 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Junior Colson (2021-23), LB, Los Angeles Chargers
Returned to action after missing time, tallying 3 tackles in a 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos … The Chargers’ defense leads the NFL with only 13.2 points allowed per game — the Broncos were held scoreless for three quarters … Appeared in three contests for the 3-2 Chargers, tallying 8 tackles and a pass breakup.
Blake Corum (2020-23), RB, Los Angeles Rams
Had a bye … The backup running back has 54 yards on 13 rushes in five outings for the 1-4 Rams.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Registered 14 tackles, 3 quarterback hits, 1 tackle for loss and a half-sack while starting all four games that he played in before going down with a calf injury.
Chris Evans (2016-18, ’20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Out for season (knee injury).
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Tallied 3 tackles and a quarterback hit in. a34-13 blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals … Posted 14 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 1 sack, 3 quarterback hits and a pass breakup while opening all six contests for the 4-2 Packers.
Graham Glasgow (2012-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Returned to his regular post at left guard after opening the previous game at center due to an injury to starter Frank Ragnow … Helped the Lions surrender only 3 sacks and rush for 184 yards on 36 carries in a near-flawless offensive performance during a 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys … Opened all five outings for the 4-1 Lions (one at center, four at left guard), recording a 65.2 overall PFF rating.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan defensive end had a season-high 5 tackles, with 1 coming behind the line of scrimmage, in a 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns … Contributed 10 tackles, 2 stops for loss, 1 sack and 2 quarterback hits in five appearances with one start for the 3-2 Eagles.
Jaylen Harrell (2020-23), OLB, Tennessee Titans
Saw time but didn’t record any statistics in a 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts … Competed in five tilts for the 1-4 Titans, making 4 tackles.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Had a short-yardage, third-down pickup from the fullback position, before delivering a key block on an end-around in a 23-16 win over the Denver Broncos … Carried twice for 5 yards in the game … Three of his five rushes have gone for first downs, totaling 16 yards in five games off the bench.
LaDarius Henderson (2023), OG, Houston Texans
On the “reserve/non-football injury” list, having undergone foot surgery in July.
Dax Hill (2019-21), CB, Cincinatti Bengals
Suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 5, after totaling 25 tackles and 2 pass breakups as a starter at cornerback.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan defender made 1 tackle in a 20-16. loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Totaled 3 tackles in five games.
James Hudson III (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Earned three starts in four appearances … Has played both left and right tackle … Hasn’t played since Sept. 29.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Placed on injured reserve (ankle) following Week 1, before returning Week 6 and making 3 tackles in a 20-16 loss to the Eagles.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DE, Detroit Lions
Out indefinitely with a broken fibula and tibia suffered in a 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys … Notched a sack on the play he was hurt … Tallied 19 tackles, 7 stops for loss, 7.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits and a forced fumble while opening five tilts for the 4-1 Lions.
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Kris Jenkins (2020-23), DT, Cincinnati Bengals
Totaled 1 tackle in a 17-7 win over the New York Giants Sunday night … Opened two of four contests, registering 6 tackles.
Trevor Keegan (2019-23), OG, Philadelphia Eagles
Hasn’t seen game action during his rookie season.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback had 4 tackles in a 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions … Recorded 19 tackles and 3 pass breakups in six clashes with three starts for the 3-3 Cowboys.
J.J. McCarthy (2021-23), QB, Minnesota Vikings
Set to miss the entire season with a knee injury suffered in preseason.
Braiden McGregor (2020-23), EDGE, New York Jets
Competed in three games, tallying 2 tackles … Hasn’t played since Week 3.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
On the injured reserve list but has been labeled as “designated for return.”
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
The former Michigan safety and his team had a bye … Racked up 26 tackles, 1 stop for loss and 3 pass breakups in five games with a pair of starts for the 5-0 Vikings.
Joe Milton (2018-20), QB, New England Patriots
Hasn’t seen game action as a rookie.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Went down with a high-ankle sprain on a kickoff Oct. 6 and is expected to miss multiple weeks … He’s 14-of-14 with a 53-yard long on field goals and 12-of-12 on extra points through five games.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Didn’t have any stats in a 36-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, seeing 9 defensive snaps and 21 on special teams … Recorded 4 tackles in six bench appearances.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
The former Michigan outside linebacker didn’t have any stats in a 30-23 win over the Washington Commanders … Played in all six games for the 4-2 Ravens, accumulating 5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and 3 quarterback hits.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Played in one game off the bench (Week 1).
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Started a 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans at right guard … Leads the 1-5 Patriots’ offensive line with a 66.2 overall PFF rating … Started four games at right tackle and two at right guard.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
The former Michigan defensive end returned to action, making 1 tackle in a 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans, after missing two outings with an injury … Tied second on the team with 1.5 sacks, adding 13 tackles, including 3 behind the line of scrimmage in four games as a starter for the 3-3 Colts
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Posted 23 tackles and 2 pass breakups while starting four games before being charged with alleged assault, strangulation and drug possession and landing on the NFL’s commissioner’s exempt list.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
On injured reserve with a leg injury he suffered in mid-August.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Missed the last three clashes with a knee injury, after opening the first three for the 2-4 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2016-19), OG, New York Giants
The former Michigan offensive lineman opened a 17-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals at left guard … Started all six games at left guard for the 2-4 Giants, notching a 57.9 overall PFF grade.
Mike Sainristil (2019-23), CB, Washington Commanders
Made his first interception in a 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and has totaled 28 tackles and 3 pass breakups while starting five of six games for the 4-2 Commanders.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Didn’t have any catches in a 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions … Caught 8 passes for 56 yards in six appearances with one start.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
Made 3 tackles in a 47-9 loss to the Detroit Lions … Opened all six games, registering 13 tackles.
Benjamin St-Juste (2017-18), CB, Washington Commanders
Tallied 5 tackles and a pass breakup in a 30-23 setback to the Baltimore Ravens … Leads the Commanders with 7 pass breakups, adding 29 tackles and a forced fumble while starting all six tilts.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
On the injured reserve with a forearm injury that has held him out of every game so far.
DJ Turner II (2019-12), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Started and had a big fourth-down pass breakup in a 17-7 win over the New York Giants, replacing the injured Hill, and has appeared in all six contests … Tallied 16 tackles, 1 stop for loss and 3 pass breakups on the year.
Joshua Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan outside linebacker recorded 2 tackles in a 41-21 loss to the Houston Texans … Registered 2 sacks, 13 tackles, 2 stops for loss and 3 quarterback hits while playing in all six games with one start.
Ben VanSumeren (2018-20), LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Recorded his third tackle of the season in a 20-16 victory ove the Cleveland Browns … Made 3 tackles in five games.
Josh Wallace (2023), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Had a bye … Made his first career start in Week 5 … Played in all five outings.
Roman Wilson (2020-23), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
After an ankle injury in training camp held him out of the first five games, he made his debut but didn’t record any stats in a 32-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders Sunday.
Zak Zinter (2020-23), OG, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan offensive lineman started four games in a row at right guard and has opened five contests overall.
