Tag: aidan hutchinson

Aidan Hutchinson still not done rehabbing his broken leg

Lions star Aidan Hutchinson is still not done rehabbing his broken leg, but he’s ready to roll in 2025

Aidan Hutchinson, it turns out, almost certainly would not have been able to play in the Super Bowl if the Detroit Lions made it to the NFL championship game. The Lions star EDGE revealed during a Super Bowl week appearance with the Pat McAfee Show that he’s still not done rehabbing his broken leg.

“I feel good. I’ll be wrapping up rehab pretty soon,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson broke his leg in a friendly-fire incident while completing a sack against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. There was considerable speculation that Hutchinson could return during a deep Lions playoff run, but neither materialized. Thanks in part to the rampant injuries on defense, the Lions came up short in their playoff opener against the Washington Commanders.

Hutchinson feels the pain and heartbreak, no doubt about it. But No. 97 is ready to attack the coming season.

“It hurt,” Hutchinson told McAfee. “Despite the pain, being ripped out of that season and knowing what I could’ve done, and what could’ve been, that’s what I had the hardest time with. But then again, I’m going into year four next year. I’m young and I’ve got a lot of good football left.”

[lawrence-related id=119417]

Projecting what an Aidan Hutchinson contract extension might look like for the Lions

Projecting what an Aidan Hutchinson contract extension might look like for the Lions this offseason

The Detroit Lions busily locked up several key players to lucrative long-term contract extensions in the last year. Foundational building blocks like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Alim McNeill and Jared Goff have all earned their next few years in Detroit.

Next in line: Aidan Hutchinson.

Hutchinson is eligible for a contract extension this offseason, though it’s not something the Lions have to get done this year. The 2025 campaign will be Hutchinson’s fourth, but the Lions can pick up the fifth-year option on his contract to buy another season in 2026 before any extension. Technically, Detroit could also use the franchise tag for the 2027 season as well, but that’s not something either side would benefit from in the long term.

NFL contracts tend to run similarly to the housing market. The prices only go up with every bump to the salary cap, and extensions tend to be based off recent comparable player deals. That will be true of Hutchinson whenever he and the Lions hammer out an extension.

In the last two years, a few upper-echelon EDGE players have signed big new deals. The most notable is 49ers standout Nick Bosa, who inked a 5-year deal worth $170 million, with $88 million (52 percent) guaranteed. Bosa’s deal works out to $34 million per year, elevating him to the top of the positional pay chart.

Jacksonville’s Josh Hines-Allen and Brian Burns of the Giants are next in pay at $28.25 million and $28.2 million per year, respectively. Both inked those lucrative deals last offseason. Pittsburgh standout T.J. Watt is at $28 million per year, with Cleveland star Myles Garrett next at $25 million.

It’s worth noting that Hutchinson was on pace to finish with more sacks, hurries and TFLs than any of those other players ended with when he broke his leg in Detroit’s Week 7 win over the Cowboys.

Hutchinson will command at least the $34 million per year on average that Bosa gets. On a five-year deal, that’s $170 million total that would lock up Hutchinson until he’s 30. It would not be surprising for the Lions to make it $34.1 million per year to show that Hutchinson’s contract is slightly higher than Bosa’s. Call it $170.5 million over five year.

The guarantee and contract structure is where the negotiations for Hutchinson and the Lions will get interesting. Watt gets 71.4 percent guaranteed, while Hines-Allen has 62.4 percent. Recent Lions deals have guaranteed between 53 percent (Goff) and 76 percent (Sewell). The grisly details will almost certainly include at least one void year for cap purposes. St. Brown’s deal, signed just before the 2024 NFL Draft, features several scheduled bonuses across different years. Expect that model, which is very commonplace in most large contracts across the league, to continue with Hutchinson.

It behooves the Lions to get a deal done with Hutchinson before Garrett resets the top of the market with his next contract — whether that’s in Cleveland (likely) or somewhere else. Garrett will require a new contract if he’s traded, but the Browns could also try to buy Garrett’s faith with a new deal despite still having two more seasons.

 

 

Friendly fire injuries of the Detroit Lions 2024 season

Breaking down the friendly fire injuries of the Detroit Lions 2024 season, and there were quite a few of them

Injury prevention is at the forefront of everybody’s mind especially after the high number of injuries to the Detroit Lions defense in 2024. One actionable way to prevent injuries is to try to limit the number caused by friendly fire – teammates hitting each other.

The main preventable, friendly fire collision occurs when the ballcarrier is already wrapped up and another defender comes crashing in to lay a big hit. Those kinds of hits often end up inadvertently landing big blows to a defensive (and defenseless) teammate. Over the decades of watching football, I have noticed more awareness amongst defensive players of avoiding unnecessary late hits to an already wrapped-up ballcarrier.

There is certainly a lot of gray area when it comes to defining what is an unnecessary hit, so it’s not fair to lay total blame to players for any of the resulting injuries. Things happen fast on the field, and it’s not always clear when a ballcarrier is wrapped up and secured.

The other side of the coin is that players have faced scrutiny and criticism for not rushing into the action when a ballcarrier unexpectedly breaks free. It’s important to realize that avoiding friendly fire can sometimes be unfairly labelled as passivity or a “business decision” on video.

I reviewed the season of injuries to the defense and compiled the injury videos of Lions players colliding with each other. Some of these collisions are simply fluky collisions that I would not put in the category of friendly fire, but the videos are here so you can decide for yourself.

Amik Robertson

Left humerus fracture – Being the last game of the season, he did not miss any future games. Likely he would have missed at least 8 weeks otherwise.

Alex Anzalone

Concussion – Missed one game. A quick, late juke by Baker Mayfield led to this friendly fire collision.

Left forearm fracture – Missed 6 games. On video, you can see that Anzalone did not have the runner wrapped up at all. Branch and Anzalone make contact with the runner almost simultaneously.

Aidan Hutchinson

Left tibia/fibula fracture – Missed rest of season. This collision was due to two players both doing their jobs effectively and getting to the QB. Hutchinson’s spinning leg-whip action ended up hitting Alim McNeill’s leg.

Of note, this same leg-whip action by Hutchinson resulted in McNeill’s MCL sprain the year prior. See my initial Hutchinson injury article for comparison of the two injury videos.

Khalil Dorsey

Right lower leg/ankle fracture – Missed rest of the season. This one looked to just be bad luck as the two Lions were trying to run past each other and collided legs.

Terrion Arnold

Right foot contusion – Missed the rest of the game. Arnold’s foot was landed on here in a fluky way. Fortunately, there was no serious injury.

Carlton Davis

Cleat to the head – A fluky cleat to a helmetless head caused Davis to miss the rest of the game. Peculiarly, two months later, Davis suffered a jaw fracture that was completely unrelated to friendly fire.

Outlook of injured Detroit Lions heading into 2025 season

Outlook of injured Detroit Lions heading into 2025 season, including Alim McNeill, Malcolm Rodriguez, Amik Robertson and more

A disappointing end to the Lions 2024 season was in large part due to the inability of the defense to make stops. The list of defensive players missing by the end of the season was long. Unfortunately, not all will be ready for the start of next season.

Here is the outlook of the players who were not playing at the end of the year due to injury. Their contract status is included, and as you can see, many of these players are unrestricted free agents who may not be back with the Lions next season regardless of health status.

Last year, the Lions started OTA (organized team activities) on April 15. Training camp started on July 27.

The new NFL season starts on September 4, 2025 with the Super Bowl champs hosting. The Lions could be playing on that date if the Eagles, Commanders, or Chiefs win the Super Bowl since the Lions have road games with all those teams.

Players who may not be ready for game one

Alim McNeill – Right ACL, December 15 (Signed through 2028 season)

-ACL’s usually recover around 10-11 months. Hope to see McNeill playing around November.

Malcolm Rodriguez – Right ACL, November 28 (Entering final year of rookie contract)

-Hope to see Rodriguez playing around October.

Signed players who should be ready by training camp

Aidan Hutchinson – Left tib/fib fracture, October 13 (Entering 4th year of rookie deal with 5th-year option.)

-Hutchinson, who was targeting a limited participation in the Super Bowl, should be ready to participate at least in a limited fashion for OTA.

Amik Robertson – Left humerus fracture, January 18 (Entering final year of 2-year contract)

-Early reports suggest that Robertson will likely be ready for OTA.

Mekhi Wingo – Right knee, Nov 28 (Entering 2nd year of 4-year rookie contract)

-The diagnosis is unknown. Assuming it’s not an ACL, there is a good chance Wingo is ready for the start of training camp if not much earlier.

Ennis Rakestraw – Hamstring/illness, November 23 (Entering 2nd year of 4-year rookie contract)

-Rakestraw may have been active if the Lions advanced to the conference championship, so he should be full-go for all offseason activities.

Unrestricted free agents who should be ready by training camp

Carlton Davis – Jaw fracture, December 15

Kevin Zeitler – Right hamstring, January 5

Marcus Davenport – Left elbow, September 22

Derrick Barnes – Right MCL/PCL with surgery, September 22

John Cominsky – MCL with surgery, July 30

Ifeatu Melifonwu – Right hamstring strain, January 18

Kyle Peko – Left pec rupture, October 13

Pat O’Connor – Calf, January 5

Khalil Dorsey – Right tib/fib fracture, December 15

Emmanuel Moseley – Illness, January

Exclusive rights free agent who should be ready by training camp

Connor Galvin – Left MCL with surgery, August 8

 

Saints Super Bowl champ shares honest opinion of Aaron Glenn

Former Saints running back Reggie Bush is among the many endorsing Aaron Glenn to be the next head coach in New Orleans:

The New Orleans Saints have not yet settled on who will be the team’s next head coach as the search continues, but it is safe to say that Aaron Glenn has emerged as a fan favorite.

In addition to names like former quarterback Drew Brees, ex-Saints running back Reggie Bush also named Glenn as his pick to be head coach for the 2025 season and beyond. Like Brees, he and Glenn were once teammates in New Orleans.

Glenn has had a lot of success as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator, as the unit was stingy in 2024, ranking seventh in points allowed.

“You’re seeing how much he’s changed this defense this year,” Bush said in an interview with DJ Siddiqi. “Even with the injuries that they’ve had, they’re still playing at a high level … It’s the ultimate testament for a coach, whether you’re a good coach or not.”

Just as Brees and others have highlighted before, Bush took time to note what Glenn brings to the table intangibly. He’s a person the players can relate to, on top of being a part of a scheme that works well and taking the coaching from Glenn.

It helps that Glenn himself also had a solid career and knows the positions he coaches well.

“You find the real coaching starts when you lose good players, and they lost one of their best players on the defensive end in Aidan Hutchinson,” Bush said. “I think he showed that he’s capable and also he’s a guy that will command respect in the locker room as well.”

Glenn previously served as the Saints defensive backs coach, and has already virtually interviewed with the team, so there has been strong mutual interest between the two parties.

It will be interesting to watch whether or not that interest manifests itself into something major for the Saints’ future at head coach.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Breaking down how the Lions fared in AP’s All-Pro voting

Breaking down how the Lions fared in AP’s All-Pro voting, which saw 13 different Lions get at least one vote

The Lions ended up being well-represented on this season’s Associated Press All Pro teams. Four Lions were named to the First Team, including wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, right tackle Penei Sewell, safety Kerby Joseph and punter Jack Fox.

Plenty more Lions either made the Second Team or at least received some votes towards All Pro. We’ll take a look here at how all the Lions that received votes fared. The full voting results can be found here.

Starting at wide receiver, St. Brown was one of the three wide receivers to make the First Team, along with Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. St. Brown received 40 out of 50 first-place votes and totaled 130 points. First-place votes received three points with second-place votes worth one point. Fellow wide receiver Jameson Williams also received one second-place vote.

Frank Ragnow was named Second Team All Pro at center. Chiefs center Creed Humphrey was selected to the First Team. Ragnow received four first-place votes and 35 total votes. Humphrey ran away with the vote, getting 44 first-place votes.

Kevin Zeitler finished fourth among right guards with 26 points (six first-place votes). Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz was named to the First Team with 74 points and 22 first-place votes and Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom was named to the Second Team with 60 points and 15 first-place votes.

Sewell is the First Team right tackle after scoring 119 points and 35 first-place votes, beating out Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson, who landed on the Second Team with 76 points and 15 first-place votes.

Despite only playing five games this season, Aidan Hutchinson received one second-place vote at edge rusher. Hutchinson was dominant in those five games, recording 7.5 sacks, including 4.5 in Week 2 against the Buccaneers. Myles Garrett (Browns) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) were named to the First Team with T.J. Watt (Steelers), Nik Bonitto (Broncos) and Andrew Van Ginkel (Vikings) on the Second Team. Bonitto and Van Ginkel finished tied with 18 points, so they both were named to the Second Team with Watt.

Two linebackers earned votes. Jack Campbell scored 16 points and earned two first-place votes. Alex Anzalone, despite missing most of the second half of the season, also garnered a second-place vote. Zack Baun (Eagles), Fred Warner (49ers) and Roquan Smith (Ravens) earned First-Team honors, while the Second Team linebackers are Frankie Luvu (Commanders), Bobby Wagner (Commanders) and Zaire Franklin (Colts).

Joseph led all safeties with 120 points and 37 first-place votes to land on the First Team with Packers safety Xavier McKinney. Kyle Hamilton (Ravens) and Budda Baker (Cardinals) were named to the second team. Brian Branch ended up the first safety out, finishing fifth among the position with 19 points. Baker had 38 points and seven first-place votes, for reference.

Fox just beat out Jaguars punter Logan Cooke for the First Team honors at punter. Both received 15 first-place votes, so it came down to second-place votes. Fox received 17 to Cooke’s 13.

Kalif Raymond, even with missing time due to injury, landed on the Second Team at kick returner, scoring 60 points and 11 first-place votes. Marvin Mims Jr. of Denver earned First-Team honors with 114 points and 35 first-place votes.

Last but not least, Hogan Hatten earned a second-place vote at the long snapper position. Not bad for an undrafted rookie!

Saints announce they’ve completed an interview with top head coach target

The New Orleans Saints announced they’ve completed an interview with top head coach target Aaron Glenn. Here’s why the Lions DC is so sought-after:

The New Orleans Saints announced Friday morning that they have completed an interview with Aaron Glenn, one of the top head coach targets in this year’s cycle. Glenn scheduled five interviews with five different teams within a 48-hour window, including the Saints, so he’s been a very busy man. But why is the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator so sought-after?

Glenn lost the NFL’s best pass rusher in the opening weeks of the season when Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken leg, and the hits kept coming as other starting defensive linemen, linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks were eroded away. And his defense has continued to play lights-out football. They peaked with a shutdown performance against one of the league’s top offenses in the regular season finale, spiking Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold’s MVP odds along the way.

He’s built a reputation as a coach who can maximize the talent available to him and relate to his players. Glenn has a scouting background, too, so there’s a good chance he could be a better influence in the war room with Jeff Ireland’s college scouting department than Dennis Allen was. All of these teams wouldn’t be making time for Glenn without good reason.

Like most of the first round of interviews, this was a virtual meeting between Glenn and the Saints; that’s what the rules dictate for coaches whose teams are still in the playoffs. It sure sounds like Glenn is expected to get a second, more thorough sit-down with the Saints’ brass, but we’ll have to wait and see whether things actually do progress to that stage. Stay tuned.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Lions regular season injury video retrospective – Defense edition

Lions regular season injury video retrospective – Defense edition: Going over all of Detroit’s defensive injuries and how they occurred

The Lions head into the playoffs as the #1 seed with a 15-2 record. It’s an impressive feat. It’s even more impressive considering the absurd number of defensive injuries the team has had to overcome.

I’ve compiled a video retrospective (if available) of the most significant injuries to the defense. The list is ranked starting with the injuries most impactful to the season.

In parentheses are the number of full games missed during the regular season. Also noted are those players who are currently available.

Aidan Hutchinson, DE (12 full games missed)

Left tibia/fibula fracture, October 13

Marcus Davenport, DE (15)

Groin, September 8
Left elbow, September 22

Alex Anzalone, LB (7) – available

Concussion, September 15

Left forearm fracture, November 17

Derrick Barnes, LB (14)

Right knee MCL/PCL, September 22

John Cominsky, DE (17)

MCL, July 30

Alim McNeill, DT (3)

Shoulder, September 22

Suspected right TMJ, November 10

Concussion, December 5

Right ACL, December 15

Carlton Davis, CB (3)

Left thumb fracture, November 17
Left knee, November 24

Jaw fracture, December 15

Malcolm Rodriguez, LB (7)

Left ankle sprain, October 27

Right ACL, November 28

Ifeatu Melifonwu, S (14) – available

Ankle, August
Left hand, November

Jalen Reeves-Maybin, LB (7) – available

Neck, November 3

Kyle Peko, DT (13)

Left pec rupture, October 13

Josh Paschal, DE (3) – available

Shoulder mass excision, October
Right knee, November 28

Mekhi Wingo, DT (6)

Ankle, November
Right knee, November 28

Ennis Rakestraw, CB (9)

Hamstring, September
Hamstring, November 23

Brodric Martin, DT (10) – available

Right knee, August 24

Brian Branch, S (1) – available

Concussion/illness, September 22

Right calf/leg, December

 

Levi Onwuzurike, DT (1) – available

Left hamstring, November 28

Khalil Dorsey, CB (3)

Right ankle/leg fracture, December 15

Emmanuel Moseley, CB (15)

Pec rupture, August
Hamstring, November
Illness, January

Terrion Arnold, CB (1)

Groin, November
Right foot, January 5

Trevor Nowaske, LB (1) – available

Concussion, December

Pat O’Connor, DT (0)

Calf, January 5

B/R has an ideal candidate in mind for the Saints head coach search

This Bleacher Report writer gives a reason other than shared history to suggest Aaron Glenn and the Saints are a perfect pairing:

Aaron Glenn is a name you’ll hear frequently connected to the New Orleans Saints The Saints have moved on from Dennis Allen and Darren Rizzi’s replacement bid loses steam by the week. Glenn just feels like the most obvious candidate. Beyond being the most obvious, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox sees Glenn as the ideal fit for New Orleans.

The reason you’ll see Glenn-to-New Orleans so frequently is his coaching history in New Orleans. Though a valid take, it’s so easy that it can come off as lazy at times.

Knox avoided that pitfall, took it a step further and articulated what makes Glenn an attractive coaching candidate.

“Although the team has lost multiple starters, he keeps rolling out a squad capable of winning games,” Knox wrote about Glenn’s job with the Detroit defense. The most notable injury is to Aidan Hutchinson. He’s been gone since Week 5. Detroit has been without him and Alim McNeil for portions of the year. Glenn’s operating under similar circumstances he’d inherit in New Orleans is one of the more creative reasons to pair the Saints and Glenn.

The Saints should be headed into a rebuild that includes tearing down the roster. Glenn has gained experience getting the most out of a depleted roster this season, and now his Lions team is preparing for the playoffs. Maybe that makes a difference.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Projected return dates this season for Lions injured players

Projected return dates this season for Lions injured players, including David Montgomery, Aidan Hutchinson and Alex Anzalone

After an injury-free game vs the Bears, Lions fans can focus on watching for players that are going to return to action. While there are three players who could make their return this week vs the 49ers – Graham Glasgow, Kalif Raymond, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, I expect only Glasgow to return.

Here are the players that could return soon with my projected return date.

Graham Glasgow – Projected return this week vs 49ers

Glasgow missed last game with a knee issue, and also had an unspecified knee injury in week two for which he did not miss a game. It’s possible there is a chronic or recurrent injury going on.

After two NP’s (no practice) to start last week, he had a LP (limited practice) on Friday which is reassuring that the injury is short-term. Dan Campbell this Monday stated: “I see Graham coming back, I think he’s going to be ready to roll, he’s going to slip right back into left guard and start for us.”

With Christian Mahogany playing well at LG and the rest of the offensive line healthy, the Lions could decide to slow-play Glasgow’s return. But it sounds like Glasgow will be thrown back into action immediately.

Kalif Raymond – Projected return 1 to 3 weeks

Raymond injured his left foot on November 24 and was placed on IR. Initial reports were to expect him by the start of the playoffs. This is the first week he is eligible to return from IR, so hopefully we see his practice window open this week.

If his 21-day practice window opens this week, it’s possible he doesn’t medically need the entire window and could play vs the 49ers. This scenario happened with Ifeatu Melifonwu last week. If Raymond’s window does not open this week, that implies he is 3 or more weeks away. The playoffs start in 18 days.

Jalen Reeves-Maybin – Projected return 2-3 weeks (week 18 or 1st-round playoffs)

Reeves-Maybin opened his 21-day practice window on December 19 which was not immediately after 4 weeks of IR. That suggests he will use most or all of his window before playing.

Currently, at only day 5 of his 21 day practice window, don’t expect him to be available vs the 49ers which will be on day 11. Expect him either the final regular season game vs the Vikings (day 17) or the playoffs.

Dan Campbell on Monday was vague and non-committal about Reeves-Maybin’s return date.

Alex Anzalone – Projected return 3 weeks (1st-round playoffs)

Anzalone fractured his forearm on November 17 and is currently on IR. The recovery was expected to take 6-8 weeks, and this week’s game vs the 49ers is the 6-week mark. However, since he hasn’t started his 21-day practice window yet, that suggests he is around 3 weeks away.

The first round of the playoffs, which is 8 weeks post-injury, starts in 18 days so his 21-day practice window should open this week.

David Montgomery – Projected return 4 weeks (2nd-round playoffs)

Montgomery has an MCL sprain that is severe or complicated enough that season-ending surgery was under consideration. He has chosen to try to rehab and return this season. Ian Rapaport reported this past weekend that the hope is Montgomery will be back for the divisional round which is 4 weeks away.

Montgomery was not placed on IR. Thus he can practice and play at any time, and there will be no 21-day practice window.

Ennis Rakestraw – Projected return >3 weeks (sometime in playoffs)

Rakestraw suffered his second hamstring issue of the year on November 23 and has been on IR. He was eligible to return last game vs the Bears, but his practice window did not open. This implies he is at least three weeks away.

Carlton Davis – Projected return 5 weeks (NFC Championship game)

Davis fractured his jaw on December 15 with an initial estimated recovery of six weeks. That would put him back for the NFC championship game.

Aidan Hutchinson – Projected return 7 weeks (Super Bowl)

It’s been 10 weeks since his left tib/fib fracture on October 13. There is a good chance the bone is fully healed now allowing all his energy to be directed towards rehabbing his legs enough to return for the Super Bowl. The big game is 17 weeks post-injury.