The Lions' Campbell doesn't expect Hutchinson to return this season

ALLEN PARK, Mich. – If Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has learned one thing about Aidan Hutchinson, it's not to bet against him.

Campbell expects the Detroit Lions' star edge rusher's recovery process to take four to six months after he underwent surgery to repair his broken tibia and fibula, but is dismissive of a season-ending injury to speak.

“I would never leave Hutch out. Never,” Campbell said. “So probably a long way, but I would never discount him and I would say if anyone can make it back, it would be him.”

Campell said Hutchinson's surgery went “great” Sunday night at Baylor White Medical Center in Irving, Texas.

During Sunday's 47-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, Hutchinson injured his left leg on a play in which he sacked Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

While pulling Prescott down, Hutchinson's leg appeared to break above the ankle as it collided with teammate Alim McNeill's left leg and he was carted off the field. Throughout the recovery process, Campbell believes having Hutchinson believe in returning this season could help.

“I just know Hutch – he has one of those rare things…once he believes in it, he can resolve to find a way back,” Campbell said. “He's one of those guys – the mind can heal the body, and he'll find the next best thing and do whatever it takes to get it back.”

“So who knows? But yeah, I think it’s huge,” he continued. “You know, it’s just sitting out there saying, ‘I can do this, I can come back. We will be able to come back and help.' And I do, I think it’s huge.”

Without Hutchinson, Campbell remains confident that the Lions are still capable of winning a Super Bowl with the resources they have. Going forward, he has confidence in defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and his ability to get the most production out of players on the roster like defensive linemen McNeill, Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike, DJ Reader and Isaac Ukwu, all of whom are ready to step up.

McNeill said he told Hutchinson he had his back despite witnessing the horrific injury up close.

“This is a huge mistake, so we just have to move forward, make plays and make up for it,” McNeill said after Sunday’s win. “So, we just have to do that. There’s no blueprint for it, we just have to attack and make plays.”

However, Lions general manager Brad Holmes could also consider bringing in an outside recruit for more help, but only if it's a good fit. Campbell says that although they are currently scouting and evaluating talent, they are in no rush because of his confidence in the defensive line.

“My job is to coach what’s here and I’m going to coach the hell out of them and we’re a team and that’s what I do,” Campbell said. “And if we get someone, great, and if we don't, those are our guys and the coaches know that. That's what we came into camp with, that's why we're developing talent and it's up to the next man up.” You” We have to be ready to go.

Members of the Lions team, such as rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold, continue to support Hutchinson. Arnold wrote on

The rest of this season is for you brother, we got you…Heal quickly❤️ #97 pic.twitter.com/w2hngWEdl9

– Terrion Arnold (@ArnoldTerrion) October 14, 2024

Hutchinson's injury was a blow to the Lions' locker room, even after handing Dallas one of the worst home defeats in team history.

“It's hard, but what are you going to do? Your boy just went out and now you have to play for him and in a way that motivates us,” Onwuzurike said.

Hutchinson was one of the early favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year before his injury. He also led the NFL in sacks, pressures and pass rush win rate entering Week 6, even though the Lions were coming off their bye week to play in Dallas.

Campbell said he won't allow his team to think negatively in the future because the team's goals of winning a Super Bowl title still exist.

“Everything is on the table, but man, we’re not panicking. (Lions general manager) Brad (Holmes) and I are not panicking. And this team is not panicking,” Campbell said. “It’s next man up and if we have an area we need some help, then we need to help each other a little bit here and maybe we need to play a little bit different and that’s okay.”