It looks like Aidan Hutchinson is just about ready to get back to terrorizing quarterbacks.
The Lions’ star defensive end gave fans a big update on his recovery from a broken leg—actually, a double break (both tibia and fibula) that he suffered in Week 6 against the Cowboys. After six long months of rehab, Hutchinson says he’s basically there.
“I’m good,” he told ESPN’s Marty Smith while attending The Masters. “I’ve just got one last evaluation when I get back to Detroit. Once I knock that out, I’m done with rehab.”
It’s been a long and frustrating road for the Michigan native, who had to watch his teammates make a deep playoff run from the sidelines. But Hutchinson says the injury gave him a whole new perspective—especially on how he used to see injured players.
He admitted that before his own injury, he’d offer the usual “hope you’re doing okay” lines to teammates, but being on the other side of it changed things. “I started feeling like a victim because everyone kept treating me like one,” he said. “Eventually I realized I just wanted people to treat me normal again.”
The good news? He’s almost 100%, and with the Lions’ offseason program starting April 22, it looks like he’s on track to fully participate. And if there’s a silver lining in all this, Hutchinson says it’s the renewed appreciation for his body and what it can do.
“You really don’t realize how good it feels just to run without pain,” he said. “I’m just happy to be past it.”
Lions fans have every reason to be excited—No. 97 is about to be back, and he’s coming with fresh energy.
Aidan Hutchinson Says He’s “Good” and Just One Test Away from Full Return
