Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was carted off the field early in the third quarter after what Fox broadcast announcers called a “gruesome” leg injury. Hutchinson injured his leg while sacking Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, awkwardly hitting teammate Alim McNeill on his way down. Hutchinson’s leg was placed into an air cast to stabilize it.
Hutchinson was officially ruled out with a lower leg injury. Lions coach Dan Campbell specified that he suffered a tibia injury and will stay in Dallas for further treatment.
“Obviously, he’s going to be down for a little while,” Campbell said. “That’s tough, man. It’s hard when we lose somebody like him. We’ll know a lot more after this and obviously wish him the best.”
Hutchinson entered Week 6 leading the NFL in sacks (6.5) and quarterback hits (14). He added another sack and tackle for loss before going down with an injury. One of the league’s best young edge rushers, Hutchinson led the NFL in pass pressure percentage, via TruMedia.
The Lions selected Hutchinson with the second pick of the 2022 NFL Draft. Since joining the Lions, his 27.5 sacks are the most among all Detroit players.
Losing Lions’ defensive leader dampens big Sunday
Everything was coming up Lions. Then, their star edge rusher went down. He was able to make the play and get Prescott on the ground, but he, too, lingered there after the play. His teammates walked over to check on him, but he continued to lay on the ground as athletic trainers worked on him. By the end of the scene, the whole Detroit sideline was on the field, and Hutchinson was getting carted off the field with a leg injury. A brutal, brutal play.
Hutchinson was having a great season. He entered Week 6 atop the leaderboard in sacks (6.5) and pressures (40) — despite a bye week. He was arguably the frontrunner for defensive player of the year, and the engine that makes this defense go. Without him, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes, the Lions are a different team. A potentially catastrophic loss, amid a season with Super Bowl aspirations, and one of the Lions’ best all-around performances of the Dan Campbell era. — Colton Pouncy, Lions beat writer
Required reading
- Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch are the safety duo Lions hoped they’d become
- Lions emphasize improving with tough stretch out of bye week: ‘We’ve got things to clean up’
(Photo: Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)
