Within hours of when Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg, we had local Detroit area reports he could return for the Super Bowl if the Lions got there.
During Amazon's postgame show Thursday night, NFL insider Albert Breer noted a four-month recovery timetable, which puts a return to action in the Super Bowl in play. Breer also reported Hutchinson had no nerve or ligament damage, while noting the good fortune of having been near Baylor University Medical Center, which is a Level 1 trauma center.
The Lions and head coach Dan Campbell have been careful not to definitely rule Hutchinson out for the season, even though it feels certain he will be.
On Saturday night ESPN's Adam Schefter reported "sources close to Aidan Hutchinson believe" the Lions' star defensive end has a realistic chance to return for the Super Bowl if the team gets there. One of Schefter's sources went a step further.
"One source went so far as to tell ESPN that, knowing Hutchinson and his injury, it would be more surprising if he did not make it back for a potential Super Bowl appearance than if he did."
-Adam Schefter, ESPN.com
In a duel of the most prominent NFL insiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network had a similar report Saturday night. Rapoport hit the same notes as Breer and Schefter.
"Though Hutchinson's injury was horrific and chilling to watch, the fracture itself was actually a clean break, sources say. There was no ligament damage. There was no nerve damage. The kinds of issues that can result with such a serious break were not present -- very good news."
The other piece of good news was serendipitous. Because the game played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Baylor University Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center, was nearby. And Baylor just happens to feature Dr. Alan Jones, who is the medical director of orthopedic trauma services there. Jones is also one of the nation's experts in tibia and fibula repairs."
"Upon arrival, Hutchinson found Jones present and waiting for him, accelerating the process and leading to a seamless and successful surgery. That could also lead to a quicker recovery."
-Ian Rapoport, NFL.com
Could Aidan Hutchinson really return for the Super Bowl?
Campbell initially estimated Hutchinson's rehab time to be 4-6 months. Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans is on Feb. 9, 2025, which would be days shy of four months removed from when Hutchison was injured. More directly, that's the early end of that recovery timetable.
It still feels unlikely Hutchinson will play again this season, even if the Lions make it to the Super Bowl. But circumstances aligned for exactly the kind of injury he had, making a fast recovery possible. So there's a glimmer of hope he can make a triumphant return in the franchise's first Super Bowl appearance, if his teammates can get it done without him.