The Detroit Lions have announced that defensive standout Aidan Hutchinson successfully underwent surgery Sunday night after suffering a severe leg injury during the third quarter of their dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Hutchinson, the NFL’s sack leader, broke his tibia and fibula in a collision while trying to tackle Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. He was quickly taken to the hospital, where he had surgery at Baylor White Medical Center in Irving, Texas, and he will remain there until he returns to Detroit later this week.
The team confirmed in a statement on Monday that Hutchinson’s surgery went well and he is expected to fully recover, although a timeline for his return to the field has not been established.
During the game, Hutchinson’s injury was distressing to witness, as his leg appeared to snap upon colliding with teammate Alim McNeill. Medical personnel attended to him for about ten minutes while both teams gathered around in support. After being carted off with a cast, teammates from both the Lions and Cowboys offered their encouragement.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell expressed his emotions regarding Hutchinson’s situation, emphasizing how difficult it is to lose such a key player and noting that the team would know more about his condition soon. He encouraged his players to stay focused and not dwell on the injury.
Hutchinson’s family also addressed the incident, with his sister Mia sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram, urging fans to pray for him.
The injury occurred while the Lions were leading 34-6, and Hutchinson had recorded three sacks in the game, marking his last appearance for the season just six weeks in. Despite the setback, the Lions went on to secure a resounding 47-9 victory, with quarterback Jared Goff throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns.
