Detroit Lions standout Aidan Hutchinson was carted off the field during the team’s 47-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday due to a broken tibia. The injury occurred early in the third quarter when Hutchinson sacked Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. During the play, his leg collided with that of a teammate, causing him to fall to the ground.
Players from both teams came to his aid, and fans at AT&T Stadium showed their support with applause as he was taken off the field. The Lions later announced that he would not return to the game because of the lower leg injury.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell provided an update after the game, confirming that Hutchinson had a broken tibia that required immediate surgery. He described the situation as “tough,” expressing concern for his player. “He’s in good hands right now. He’s being taken care of. He’s going to be down for a little while, so that’s tough man. It’s hard when you lose somebody like him,” Campbell said.
On Monday, the Lions shared on social media that Hutchinson had undergone successful surgery at Baylor Medical Center in Irving, Texas, on Sunday. The team indicated that Hutchinson would return to Detroit later in the week and is expected to make a full recovery, although there is currently no timeline for his return to the field.
Hutchinson, the second overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has recorded 7.5 sacks in five games this season, bringing his career total to 27.5 sacks over 38 games.
Running back David Montgomery referred to Hutchinson’s injury as a significant loss for the team, highlighting the impact Hutchinson has as both a player and a leader in the locker room. “It’s a big blow for us. It’s personal for us because of the kind of guy that Aidan is and what he brings to the team,” Montgomery remarked.
With this win, the Lions improved to a 4-1 record this season, while the Cowboys fell to 3-3. The Lions will next face the Minnesota Vikings, who are currently 5-0, while the Cowboys will travel to San Francisco to take on the 3-3 49ers.