A week ago, Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson posted a video showing himself running and weaving down the field, demonstrating his recovery from a season-ending broken fibula and tibia.
“I’m there. I’d say I’m good,” Hutchinson told Marty Smith on Thursday at the Masters. “I’ve got my last evaluation tests when I get back, I leave today and I go back tomorrow to the rehab. I’m gonna finish those evals and once I knock them out of the park, I’ll be on my way and done with rehab. It was a long process, I’ll tell you that.”
Hutchinson was having a monster third season before suffering the leg injury during a Week 6 blowout against the Dallas Cowboys. Most notably, he delivered an impressive 4.5-sack performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. By the time he was sidelined, Hutchinson had totaled 7.5 sacks, 19 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, seven tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in just five games.
Detroit was hopeful Hutchinson could make a miraculous return if the team reached its first-ever Super Bowl. The former Pro Bowl pass rusher even stated in mid-December that he was on track to return.
However, that comeback was not meant to be, as the Lions were eliminated by the Washington Commanders in a shocking Divisional Round loss. While it was a heartbreaking moment for the franchise, it allowed Hutchinson to continue his rehab without the pressure of a deadline.
