Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson shared a video on Monday of himself sprinting at the team’s practice facility, a promising sign in his recovery from a season-ending injury.
Hutchinson suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in Week 6 against the Cowboys and underwent surgery. Despite speculation that he might return for the Super Bowl, this video suggests that was unlikely.
The video is great news for Lions fans eager to see Hutchinson return for the 2025 season. Before his injury, Hutchinson was on a hot streak, with 19 total tackles and seven-and-a-half sacks in five games. Extrapolating those numbers to a 17-game season, he was on pace for an impressive 25.5 sacks.
Hutchinson’s continued improvement each year of his NFL career has Lions fans hopeful he’ll pick up where he left off in 2025.
The biggest priority for the Lions this offseason is finding an edge rusher to pair with Hutchinson. PFF’s Mason Cameron suggested pairing Hutchinson with veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack, who could provide significant value despite being 35 years old.
Mack had a down year in 2024 with the Chargers, but his previous two seasons with 90.0-plus PFF overall grades suggest he still has plenty to offer. His reduced market value could make him a relatively affordable addition for the Lions.
Detroit holds the 28th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is expected to use it to add another talented edge rusher. With the addition of Mack and a rookie, the Lions’ defensive line could look significantly different next season.
