Six months after suffering a season-ending broken fibula and tibia during Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson has offered an encouraging update on his rehab progress.
Appearing on ESPN’s “Fore Please! Now Driving…” podcast during a visit to Augusta National for the Masters, Hutchinson sat down with host Marty Smith to discuss his recovery journey and outlook moving forward. With the Lions’ offseason program set to begin April 22, Hutchinson appears to be right on schedule—and maybe even ahead of it.
Aidan Hutchinson Nears Full Recovery From Major Leg Injury
Hutchinson’s injury ended what had been shaping up to be another productive season for the former No. 2 overall pick. Despite initial concerns about the severity of the injury and a projected recovery timetable of four to six months, updates throughout his rehab have remained positive.
Earlier this month, he posted a video of himself running and cutting sharply at the Lions’ indoor facility, showing noticeable improvement compared with a similar clip from February.
When asked by Smith where he stood in the rehab process, Hutchinson confidently said:
“I’m there. I’d say I’m good,” Hutchinson said. “I’ve got my last evaluation tests when I get back. I leave today and I go back tomorrow to the rehab. I’m gonna finish those evals, and once I knock them out of the park, I’ll be on my way and done with rehab. It was a long process, I’ll tell you that.”
With final evaluations pending—or potentially already completed—the 24-year-old appears ready to resume football activity. While the Lions won’t begin on-field work until May, there is growing optimism Hutchinson will be a full participant.
Rehab Journey Offers New Perspective for Lions’ Defensive Star
Beyond the physical milestones, Hutchinson also spoke candidly about the emotional and psychological aspects of his recovery. He described how his perspective changed once he was the one in the training room instead of offering support from the outside.
“It’s a funny perspective. Guys would come up to me and be like, ‘Hey man, I hope you’re doing okay.’ And I’m sitting there like, dude, if people keep victimizing me, I’m going to victimize myself. So I loved when people treated me like everything was normal.”
That shift gave Hutchinson a newfound empathy for injured players and a deeper appreciation for everyday activities—even something as simple as walking without pain.
With his recovery nearly complete, Hutchinson’s return adds a major boost to a Lions defense looking to build on a strong 2024 campaign.