Aidan Hutchinson. Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

How Aidan Hutchinson's injury impacts Lions' Super Bowl hopes

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/14/24

Edge-rusher Aidan Hutchinson's season-ending injury could have huge ramifications on the Detroit Lions' Super Bowl aspirations.

In Sunday's 47-9 road win over the Dallas Cowboys, Hutchinson suffered a broken left tibia/fibula in the third quarter and immediately underwent surgery. On Monday, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told the media his recovery will take "four to six months."

"Hutchinson's season-ending broken leg dealt an emotional blow," wrote The Athletic's Mike Sando in his Monday column. "Longer term, his absence could make the difference between reaching the Super Bowl or falling short."

Hutchinson logged 7.5 sacks in five games, the most in the NFL. No other Lion has three or more through Detroit's first five games.

During a Monday episode of ESPN's "NFL Live," analyst Marcus Spears, a former Cowboys defensive lineman, said he's concerned about whether the Lions pass-rush will step up in the playoffs.

"Now you don't have anybody on that defensive line where an [offensive coordinator] is coming in and saying, 'We got to game plan for this guy,'" Spears said.

"Now you don't have anybody on that defensive line where an OC is coming in and saying 'we got a game plan for this guy.'"@mspears96 on how Aidan Hutchinson's injury effects the Lions' defense pic.twitter.com/iUfuZrBouS
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 14, 2024

Don't expect the Lions to trade for an elite pass-rusher, like Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders or Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.

During a Monday episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," ESPN's Adam Schefter said he expects Detroit to acquire another pass-rusher before the Nov. 5 trade deadline. But he doesn't think it will "mortgage [its] future" for Garrett or Crosby.

Sando noted the Lions could target Cleveland Browns edge-rusher Za'Darius Smith or Carolina Panthers star Jadeveon Clowney. Both are former Pro Bowlers, so Detroit may have to offer a sizeable trade package to land either.

Still, acquiring another pass-rusher could be worthwhile for the Lions, even if it costs them valuable draft capital.

"They are playing at such a high level right now," an anonymous executive told Sando. "Sometimes there is just a moment where you have to overpay. Are you going to the Super Bowl or not? Are you going to try?"

The Lions have an excellent shot at lifting their first Lombardi Trophy. As of Monday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives them (4-1) the second-best chance (14.6 percent) to win Super Bowl LIX behind the Kansas City Chiefs (5-0).

Detroit doesn't want to squander this opportunity, so it must find a way to strengthen its pass-rush.

More must-reads: