Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has officially been cleared to return to action, marking the end of a grueling recovery journey from a devastating leg injury that sidelined him for much of the 2024 season. The 24-year-old star pass rusher fractured his tibia and fibula during a Week 6 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, a setback that halted what had been a breakout campaign.
Now healthy and reinvigorated, Hutchinson is eager to get back on the field with his teammates as the Lions begin organized team activities.
“I’m rolling with the boys now and it feels like I’m back to being myself again,” Hutchinson told ESPN on Thursday. “This is probably the most excited I’ve ever been for OTAs. Being away from the game this long—it’s the longest I’ve gone without playing—it’s got me pumped to be back.”
Prior to the injury, the Michigan alum had already tallied 7.5 sacks through just five games, cementing his status as one of the league’s most disruptive young defenders. His momentum was abruptly halted on October 13 in Arlington, but Hutchinson remained optimistic, even vowing to return if Detroit reached the Super Bowl—a run that ultimately fell short in the Divisional Round against the Washington Commanders.
Reflecting on the months spent in recovery, Hutchinson emphasized the emotional toll the process took.
“In those moments, you look for silver linings just to make sense of it all,” he said. “You end up leaning heavily on your faith. It was a challenging few months. I wanted so badly to be out there contributing. Even though I was still technically part of the team, when you’re not on the field, it doesn’t always feel that way.”
As he rejoins a Lions squad with renewed championship aspirations, Hutchinson is setting his sights even higher.
“I know some people thought I had reached my ceiling last year,” he said. “But I don’t see it that way. I’m 24. I still think I’ve got a lot more in the tank. I’m going to keep pushing for greater heights.”
Hutchinson’s return comes as the Lions usher in a new era on defense, with Kelvin Sheppard stepping in as defensive coordinator following Aaron Glenn’s departure to the New York Jets. The team hopes Hutchinson will not only return to form but continue evolving into the cornerstone of a unit with Super Bowl ambitions.
