Lions rookie Aidan Hutchinson more than ready for the season to start

The anticipation for Aidan Hutchinson’s regular season debut is high, and the Detroit Lions’ top rookie shares in it.

Fortune smiled on the Detroit Lions in April’s draft when Aidan Hutchinson was there at No. 2 overall. They turned in the card with Hutchinson’s name on it so quickly that the NFL was not thrilled about it. Not that head coach Dan Campbell cared, calling the league’s desire to manufacture draft drama a “dog and pony show.”

Hutchinson played some in the Lions’ preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, making a couple impact plays right of the bat and earning a great grade from Pro Football Focus for his work over 11 snaps (for what that’s worth).

Hutchinson did not play in the second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, as both teams rested starters after two days of joint practices. He won’t play in Sunday’s preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers either, so the next time he’ll play is Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 11.

Aidan Hutchinson is ready for his rookie season to start

After the two days of practice against the Colts, via Kyle Meinke of MLive, Hutchinson was looking ahead to the start of the season.

"I’m ready to go,”  “I think I just want to get (to the regular season). All the preseason, all the camp stuff, it’s good getting better, but man, you just want to get to that Week 1 and get into the season and get rolling. Just getting a little antsy. So yeah, that’s how I feel.”"

The Lions and Lions fans are certainly just as antsy, if not more than he is, to see Hutchinson play in a meaningful game. He is on the radar to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, with the obvious expectation he’ll be a long-term stalwart in Detroit. Eagles’ offensive tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson will be a strong test right out of the gate.