Aidan Hutchinson injury update: Surgery details, recovery timeline

The Detroit Lions would ordinarily be riding very high the day after a 47-9 win. But of course the biggest news to come out of Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboys was the broken leg defensive end Aidan Hutchinson suffered early in the third quarter.

Hutchinson was injured on a sack of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott when he collided legs with teammate Alim McNeill. He was put in an air cast and carted off the field. He had immediate surgery to repair what was first revealed to be a fractured left tibia at a Dallas-area hospital.

Reports from late Sunday night suggested Hutchinson could return to play in the Super Bowl if the Lions make it. A full recovery from a broken leg in less than four months would be pretty remarkable. In a broader sense, that sentiment conveys confidence Hutchinson will be ready go in plenty of time for the start of next season.

Aidan Hutchinson injury update: Surgery, recovery time, etc.

On Monday morning, the Lions posted an update about Hutchinson on Twitter.

"Aidan Hutchinson underwent successful surgery to repair a fractured tibia and fibula at Baylor White Medical Center in Irving, Texas last night (Sunday night). Hutchinson will return to Detroit this week and is expected to make a full recovery. There is no timeline for his return to play at this time."

The tibia is the shin bone and fibula is the calf bone, both of course in the lower leg. There was immediate confirmation after Sunday's game from Lions' head coach Dan Campbell that Hutchinson has suffered a fractured tibia. The fractured fibula is new, though probably not entirely unexpected given the visuals of what happened.

ESPN Adam Schefter reported Hutchinson's season is over, which is confirmation far more than a revelation, since his injury typically has a six-to-eight-month recovery time. Schefter further reported a rod was placed in Hutchinson's leg during surgery.

So the fresh news on Hutchison Monday morning is pretty much as expected. He had "successful surgery" (as if there could be another kind). He is expected to make a full recovery, and he's out for the season.

Update, 10/17/24, 10:35 a.m.: On the Amazon postgame show Thursday night, Albert Breer of The MMQB had a positive update on Hutchinson. There was no damage to ligaments or arteries, and it was good fortune for that the injury happened near a Level 1Trauma center and with one of the foremost surgeons for the type of surgery Hutchinson had there.

Breer reinforced a four-month recovery timetable for Hutchinson, opening the possibility for him to return for the Super Bowl if the Lions get there.