Aidan Hutchinson injury update offers new potential return date

When Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg back in Week 6, circumstances aligned nicely for him to make a fast recovery along a general recovery timeline of 4-6 months.

With that in mind, there have been multiple reports that Hutchinson could return to play in the Super Bowl if the Lions get there. That would be almost exactly four months removed from the injury, on the early end of that 4-6 month timeline.

For what it's worth, since he wouldn't post anything other than positive progress on social media, Hutchinson has posted multiple promising updates as he rehabs his injury. But positive updates are better than nothing, even as fuel for potentially unrealistic expectations.

Aidan Hutchinson injury update points to earlier return

During FOX's pregame show Sunday morning, after host Curt Menefee inquired about the Lions "getting some guys back?", Jay Glazer had an update on Hutchinson.

"Well, might be getting one of their biggest stars back, a little bit sooner than maybe they thought, in Aidan Hutchinson, Glazer said. "Look, here's where he is. He's actually doing some underwater running, on an underwater treadmill. He's able to walk on land, as they say. He's supposed to use a cain, but he's not really using it right now. And they actually are holding out hope, just because of how hard he works, that he could possibly be back, not the Super Bowl, but the NFC Championship Game. Depending on how that bone feels, and Dan Campbell says, also, how much practice he can get."

Hutchinson posted a short clip of himself doing some rehab work in the pool back in mid-November. Glazer's update suggests he has since progressed to working on a treadmill under water (i.e., higher intensity). He has been on-site at Ford Field for games lately, with a least one clip showing him walking without assistance (even if he should be using a cane, as Glazer noted).

Hutchinson being able to play in the Super Bowl, let alone the NFC Championship Game, will of course be dependent on how his healing process goes and then being able to get on the practice field without issue.

But it's so far so (very) good on the rehab front for "Hutch", so the door will stay open for him to possibly play in the biggest games of the Lions' season if they get that far,