There was never much doubt inside the Lions’ building about how Aidan Hutchinson would bounce back from his leg injury—but hearing it straight from the coaches is still a big sigh of relief for fans. After missing most of last season with a fractured leg, the Lions’ star edge rusher is back on the practice field, and by all accounts, he looks really good.
Detroit’s defensive coaches lit up when asked about Hutchinson’s progress. He’s been grinding through individual workouts, and the early signs are all positive. Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard even shared a moment he had with Hutchinson, pointing out how the pass rusher’s signature footwork during drills showed he’s back to form.
Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers echoed the optimism, saying Hutchinson’s recovery work has been nothing short of professional. While the Lions managed to go 15-2 last year despite his absence, they definitely missed his impact down the stretch—especially during the playoff loss to Washington, where they couldn’t sack rookie QB Jayden Daniels even once.
With Hutchinson healthy again and hungry for a big 2025 season, the Lions’ defense could be even scarier than before.
Encouraging Signs: Hutchinson Impresses as He Works Back to Form”
