Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson undergoes surgery after fracturing fibula, tibia vs. Cowboys

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson underwent successful surgery Sunday after breaking his fibula and tibia in Detroit’s win over the Dallas Cowboys, the team announced Monday.

Hutchinson will return to Detroit this week as he begins the recovery process. Lions coach Dan Campbell said Hutchinson’s recovery timeline is four to six months.

“I’d never count Hutch out,” Campbell said.

Hutchinson was taken to a Dallas-area hospital after sustaining the injury in the third quarter. Hutchinson was carted off the field after the injury, which occurred while sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and awkwardly hitting teammate Alim McNeill on his way down. Hutchinson’s leg was placed into an air cast to stabilize it.

“Obviously, he’s going to be down for a little while,” Campbell said Sunday. “That’s tough, man. It’s hard when we lose somebody like him. We’ll know a lot more after this and obviously wish him the best.”

Hutchinson entered Week 6 leading the NFL in sacks (6 1/2), quarterback hits (14) and pressures (40). He added another sack and tackle for loss before going down with an injury. One of the league’s best young edge rushers, Hutchinson led the NFL in pass pressure percentage, via TruMedia.

The Lions selected Hutchinson with the second pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Since joining the Lions, his 27 1/2 sacks are the most among all Detroit players.

Losing Lions’ defensive leader dampens big Sunday

Everything was coming up Lions. Then, their star edge rusher went down. He was able to make the play and get Prescott on the ground, but he, too, lingered there after the play. His teammates walked over to check on him, but he continued to lay on the ground as athletic trainers worked on him. By the end of the scene, the whole Detroit sideline was on the field, and Hutchinson was getting carted off the field with a leg injury. A brutal, brutal play.

Hutchinson was having a great season. He was arguably the front-runner for defensive player of the year, and the engine that makes this defense go. Without him, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes, the Lions are a different team. A potentially catastrophic loss, amid a season with Super Bowl aspirations, and one of the Lions’ best all-around performances of the Dan Campbell era. — Colton Pouncy, Lions beat writer

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(Photo: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)