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.
