The Detroit Lions lost a key contributor last season when star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson went down with a serious injury.
Hutchinson had emerged as an early candidate for Defensive Player of the Year before suffering a broken tibia and fibula, sidelining him for the rest of the season.
There was speculation he might return if the Lions reached the Super Bowl, but their playoff run ended quickly, giving him ample time to recover and regain his strength.
Now, several months later, the former Michigan standout has announced he’s been fully cleared to return to football.
“I’m fully cleared,” Hutchinson confirmed.
Reports from offseason workouts suggest Hutchinson has looked sharp and hasn’t missed a beat.
While it was always expected that he’d be ready for the upcoming season, the confirmation is still a welcome sign, especially given the severity of his injury.
Hutchinson is also now eligible to begin contract negotiations with the team. Despite the timing being less than ideal due to the recent injury, he’s already established himself as one of the league’s premier defensive disruptors.
He’ll be in line for a significant contract extension in the coming offseason, with his ability to stay healthy playing a major role in determining his value.
With Aaron Glenn no longer serving as defensive coordinator, the Lions may experience some changes or setbacks on that side of the ball. However, as long as Hutchinson is hunting quarterbacks, their defense will remain a threat.
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