ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson has been fully cleared to resume football activities, according to his own statements.
The star player, who was selected for the Pro Bowl, shared his impressions with reporters for the first time since a leg injury ended his previous season. Hutchinson’s excitement about rejoining the team was palpable.
Hutchinson assured that he did not experience setbacks during his extensive rehabilitation. Furthermore, he affirmed that he always had the certainty that he would recover his level after suffering a tibia and fibula fracture in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.
“I’m back with my teammates and I feel like I’m myself again,” Hutchinson commented on Thursday. “I’m very excited about the season. I think this is the most excited I’ve been for OTAs in my life. This is the longest period of inactivity I’ve had without playing football, so I’m very motivated.”
Aidan Hutchinson
After a promising start to the 2024 season, Hutchinson had to leave the field at AT&T Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys on October 13. During his absence, Hutchinson overcame psychological, physical, and spiritual challenges as he fought to recover.
“In those moments, you try to find the positive aspects to make sense of the situation, but at the end of the day, you ask yourself ‘why?’” explained Hutchinson. “That’s why you cling to faith, and that’s what I did, and it was a very difficult time for a few months.”
Aidan Hutchinson
Hutchinson was considered one of the leading candidates for the Defensive Player of the Year award last season. Despite missing the final 12 games of Detroit’s season, he managed to accumulate 7.5 sacks in 2024, the most for a Lions player in their first five games since William Gay in 1983.
By Week 6, the former No. 2 overall draft pick also led the NFL in sacks, pressures, and pass-rush win rate, even after the Lions had their bye week in Dallas. He was on pace to break the NFL single-season sack record, which is 22.5 and shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt, and had a real chance to do it. Hutchinson has no doubt he can pick up where he left off.
“I think a lot of people think that’s my ceiling, but I still believe I’m going to keep striving to reach greater heights,” Hutchinson said. “I’m 24 years old, I’m still young, and I don’t think that’s my peak.”
Aidan Hutchinson
The Lions’ defense also suffered other significant losses last season, but still managed to finish as the seventh-best defense in the NFL, despite injuries to several key players, including Alim McNeill and Carlton Davis III.
This year, the Lions will also have to adapt to new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, after Aaron Glenn took the head coaching job with the New York Jets.
“Seeing the defense was inspiring,” Hutchinson commented. “There are guys playing, who I’m sure they didn’t even know their names and my coach told me: ‘Boy, I have players who arrived three days ago’”.
Aidan Hutchinson
The Lions’ offense and defense haven’t crossed paths much during their offseason program, which includes rookie minicamp and organized team activities, but Hutchinson’s return has generated excitement in the organization and among his teammates.
“His presence means a lot not only for the defense, but for us,” said Penei Sewell, All-Pro offensive tackle for the Lions. “His work ethic, that kind of energy, is something everyone admires. We all want to be that kind of person and come every day with determination and strive so hard in the classroom as well as on the field.”
Penei Sewell
Veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader commented that it was good to see Hutchinson moving, as they embark on the road to the 2025 season.
“Knowing him and knowing how he’s built, there’s nothing better than going out there and proving that you’ve worked hard to get to this point,” Reader said. “So I know it feels pretty good.”
DJ Reader
