Detroit Lions Podcast: Bisch and Brown give a Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Preview
It’s Friday and that means another episode of Bischoff and Brown on the Detroit Lions Podcast! On this episode the guys talk about all sorts of things Detroit Lions after their week 6 win in Dallas. In addition to that, the guys talk about the following:
Decimating Dallas was a statement. What does it all mean?
Unfortunate injury to Aidan Hutchinson may leave people feeling some doubt. Do the Lions make a trade to rekindle some hope?
Lions vs. Vikings Preview
All that and more!
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Aidan Hutchinson gets well wishes from a special group of children
Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions is recovery from surgery after breaking a tibia in a game Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
The defensive lineman is a huge supporter of C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, where he played football at the University of Michigan.
Some of those impacted by Hutchinson gave back to the Lion this week with some special best wishes for love and a speedy recovery.
š Our Hutch Hero @aidanhutch97 š@Lions Hutch has shared words of encouragement with these #LittleVictors and written many of their names on his water jug before each game.
š š¦ When @lions@aidanhutch97 walks into the stadium on game day, he writes the name of a child on his water jug who is battling a critical illness or living with other challenges.
š Our Hutch Hero @aidanhutch97 š@Lions Hutch has shared words of encouragement with these #LittleVictors and written many of their names on his water jug before each game.
Philadelphia Eagles could see Haason Reddick in the NFC playoffs if Detroit Lions make the trade with the New York Jets
The NFL loves playoff drama, and there would be no more extraordinary theater than Philadelphia potentially traveling to Detroit to face the Lions in a postseason game.
Such a scenario would genuinely heat up if Haason Reddick were a pass rusher for the Lions and faced off against Jordan Mailata or Lane Johnson.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano broke down the latest NFL buzz ahead of Week 7. With Aidan Hutchinson out for the season following surgery on his fibula, Haason Reddick could be an option for a Detroit team looking to be aggressive before the trade deadline.
I can think of a highly productive edge rusher who has averaged nearly 13 sacks per season since 2020, a player who hasn’t been on the field all season because he’s disgruntled with his current team out of the greater New Jersey area. Haason Reddick would be an obvious player the Lions can inquire about, and I’ve been told they have reached out. Reddick’s recent hiring of agent Drew Rosenhaus, who is known for getting deals done expeditiously, could improve his chances of either staying with the Jets or facilitating a trade. Multiple teams have long believed the Jets have no choice but to cut ties eventually, and Detroit would be smart to at least attempt a deal.
Detroit would have to convince Reddick to report and chase a Super Bowl without a new deal, while the Jets could be renewed by the Davante Adams trade and choose to sign the pass rusher to an agreement, thus giving the franchise an all-in chance at a Super Bowl.
Last season, Reddick finished 15th in the league with 11 sacks and made his second straight Pro Bowl.
He recorded double-digit sacks for the fourth consecutive season, leading his team in that category and tying for 15th in the NFL. Outside of the sacks, though, Reddickās numbers were poor by his standards.
His 38 tackles were the second-lowest mark of his career, and he didnāt force or recover a fumble after forcing five and recovering three last season.
If they keep losing, ESPN suggests the New Orleans Saints could move a starter at the NFL trade deadline. But would they trade Chase Young?
If they keep losing, ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler suggested the New Orleans Saints could move a starter at the NFL trade deadline. But would they trade Chase Young? That would be the clearest signal Mickey Loomis could send that his team is going in the tank, but you can’t imagine that’s something head coach Dennis Allen would sign off on.
Still, never say never. Teams like the Detroit Lions are desperate for a pass rusher after losing Aidan Hutchinson to a broken leg. Here’s the case for dealing Young at the Nov. 5 trade deadline from ESPN:
Graziano:Ā What aboutĀ Chase Young? The Saints really like the guy and could be interested in signing him to a long-term deal, but if they check in and don’t feel good about their chances of doing that, could he be on the move for theĀ second deadline in a row?
Fowler: That’s not a bad call. Young signed aĀ one-year dealĀ with New Orleans in hopes of parlaying it into a new contract with the team. With the Saints sitting at 2-4, perhaps the organization would listen to offers closer to the deadline. I’d be mildly surprised if anything happens. Young garnered a third-round pick in last year’s trade fromĀ Washington to San Francisco, and now that he’s fully healthy and playing productive snaps, I would surmise New Orleans wouldn’t accept anything less in a deal, if it even considers it.
It feels unlikely. While they haven’t reflected it on the weekly depth chart, Young has replaced Cameron Jordan in the starting lineup. Young has taken almost all of the snaps from the right defensive end spot, with Carl Granderson playing ahead of Jordan on the left side. He’s become a critically important player for the Saints up front.
Young may not have the sacks (1.5 in 6 games) but he generates a ton of pressure and demands attention from the offensive line. His 25 quarterback pressures at Pro Football Focus rank ninth-most at defensive end. Granderson has had 26 pressures, which are fourth-most. Jordan ranks 49th with 11.
If you read the writing on the wall and look at the salary cap sheet, it sure looks like the Saints are hoping Young can be the long-term replacement for Jordan. This could be the last year for No. 94 if he chooses to retire and start a full-time career in football media. Jordan’s cap hit next year is over $20 million but just $9 million of it is guaranteed. The math is pretty simple there.
Still, Young will be a free agent in 2025, and the best compensation the Saints could hope for if he leaves is a third-round pick in 2026. It’s certainly possible things deteriorate so badly this season that they decide to trade him, get a third rounder (or better) a year sooner, and then restart the search for Jordan’s replacement. But it sure would be more convenient if that guy were already in the building making plays across from Granderson.
Dan Campbell lays out how the Lions plan to replace injured Aidan Hutchinson
Losing Aidan Hutchinson is a huge blow for the Detroit Lions defense. However, Lions head coach Dan Campbell remains upbeat about his defensive unit and their ability to overcome the loss of the Defensive Player of the Year front-runner after Week 6.
In his weekly appearance on 97.1 The Ticket with Costa and Jensen, Campbell talked about what players need to step up. When asked about replacing Hutchinson, Campbell turned immediately to needing more from defensive tackle Alim McNeill and the rest of the current Lions.
“That production has got to go somewhere for us to stay as potent as we’ve been,” Campbell said. “So that means that Mac (McNeill), he’s going to have to play at a consistently high level. I thought he played outstanding the other day (in Dallas) and he’s going to do it again.”
The Lions quickly put their money where Campbell’s mouth was, agreeing to a 4-year extension with McNeill worth $55 million guaranteed. That’s a crystal clear indicator of the Lions’ expectations for the defensive tackle.
Campbell continued, citing current Lions Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal, DJ Reader, Mitchell Agude, Isaac Ukwu and Al-Quadin Muhammad (the last three are currently on the practice squad) as players who will be expected to “step up” and do more in their own ways. He then mentioned newcomer Cam Gill and holdover James Houston as potential options.
“It’s going to take everybody on that defense to elevate a little bit,” Campbell stated. “Do a little bit more and we’ll be just fine.”
Later in the interview, Campbell was asked about what type of player from outside the organization the Lions might be looking for to help replace Hutchinson’s production.
“Honestly, I think if anything, you’re looking for a role player,” Campbell responded. “Somebody that can set an edge, that can transition into rush. It doesn’t have to be somebody ā as you guys know, elite rushers and edge setters don’t just fall off trees. And if they do, you’re going to have to sell the farm to get them.
But I do think there could be some guys out there that will fit into what we’re doing defensively. They can serve a role, they can help.”
It’s difficult to interpret that answer as anything other than a clear refutation of aspirations for the likes of Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett–neither of whom is even remotely available for trade at this point.
Lions officially place Aidan Hutchinson and Kyle Peko on I.R., sign Isaiah Thomas
It’s now official: the Detroit Lions have placed Aidan Hutchinson on the injured reserve list.
The Lions announced the move on Tuesday, two days after the standout EDGE broke his left legbroke his left leg in a blowout win over the Dallas Cowboys.
Detroit also placed DT Kyle Peko on I.R. Peko tore a pectoral muscle. Peko tore a pectoral muscle in Dallas and is out indefinitely. While neither player is expected to return in 2024, being placed on the reserve list means Hutchinson and Peko are each out a minimum of four games.
With one of the open spots on the 53-man roster, the Lions signed EDGE Isaiah ThomasLions signed EDGE Isaiah Thomas. The newest member of the Lions den comes to Detroit from the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad. Because he was signed from the practice squad of another team, Thomas must remain on Detroitās active roster for at least three games.
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions faceoff for the first time on Sunday with the top of the division at stake.
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions face off for the first time on Sunday, with the top of the division at stake. Unfortunately for the Lions, they will have to compete without their top defensive star.
On Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, Aidan Hutchinson suffered a gruesome leg injury that resulted in emergency surgery. The surgery was to repair a broken tibia and he will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.
That means the Lions’ top pass rusher will be gone for the season, which is currently 4-1. The Minnesota Vikings and the NFL never want to see a player get seriously hurt the way Hutchinson did. The league never stops moving, so the game this weekend will, of course, go ahead, but it also means the jobs for Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill will be adjusted.
They will have to gameplan much less for James Houston or Alim McNeil than for Hutchinson. This means that Wes Phillips and Kevin O’Connell can gameplan without worrying about the former Rookie of the Year.
The ripple effect will be felt throughout the season, but it starts this Sunday against the Vikings.
Lions vs Cowboys: Monday postgame medical report for Detroit, including injuries to Aidan Hutchinson, Kyle Peko and more
These are the injuries I picked up on my initial watch. Unfortunately, there are two possible season-enders coming out of the Cowboys game.
Kyle Peko – left pec, 1q 7:55
Peko hurt his left pec during an attempted tackle. Pec tears can occur during an eccentric motion which occurred here when the runner broke away while Peko was trying to pull him in.
With how quickly Peko was ruled out, it hints there may have been a visible deformity of the pec on physical exam, which can signify a full pec tendon rupture and the likely end of his season. The best case scenario is a mild pec strain of the muscle body.
This is the third known pec strain/tear this year, along with Emmanuel Moseley and Frank Ragnow.
Kyle Peko L pec injury video
-Mechanism of injury: runner breaking away as Peko tries to pull him back in. Eccentric motion can tear pec.
-Concern for full pec rupture with how quickly he was ruled out. Can see visible evidence of rupture on exam. pic.twitter.com/IS8gn9BA1o
ā Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 14, 2024
Penei Sewell – left leg, 2q 00:36
Video was obscured but he appeared to have his left leg rolled up on during David Montgomery’s TD run. It was a slow roll-up and didn’t look bad on video. He got up gingerly but didn’t miss any snaps.
Sewell was healthy enough to take a lateral to the house later in the game. Getting rolled up on can cause ankle or knee sprains but I’m not expecting anything significant here. We’ll see if he shows up on the Wednesday injury report.
Graham Glasgow – right shin cleated, 3q 13:18
Glasgow was visibly in pain after the play and was grabbing at his right shin. He didn’t miss a snap.
Close video review showed that he got cleated, leaving a mark on his shin which may have been a sock tear. Even if he has an underlying laceration, it’s no big deal and he’ll be fine.
Aidan Hutchinson – left tib/fib fracture, 3q 12:00
This is the big one. Early signs are good that he should make a full recovery in time for training camp with even an outside shot at the Super Bowl. With the Super Bowl less than 4 months away, Dan Campbell on Monday called Hutchinson’s timeline “4-6 months”.
Players will absolutely come back well before they are fully ready for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in the Super Bowl. Terrell Owens in 2005 is a good example.
The bone will be completely healed so the risk will be minimal. But Hutchinson won’t have his usual strength, burst, or stamina, and won’t play his typical 90% of snaps. His effectiveness will be questionable, but if the team is willing to open up a roster spot for him, I would expect him to play. After that one game, he will have five months to recover.
Aidan Hutchinson tib/fib fracture injury video
-Leg whip mechanism
-Despite gruesome nature, early reports/prognosis are good. Not open fracture. Presume no nerve/vascular damage.
-Good chance of full recovery in 6-9mo. Should be back in plenty of time for start of 2025. pic.twitter.com/nzXJRiY3b1
ā Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 14, 2024
Carlton Davis – cleat to head, 3q 10:38
Davis had his helmet crunched and ripped off, and if that wasn’t enough, he took a wicked cleat to his bare head. Fortunately, it looks like he avoided any significant injury, although he didn’t return to the game.
He was seen hanging out on the sideline in good spirits the rest of the game which means he passed the concussion evaluation and there are no serious concerns. It looks like he avoided a laceration or any eye damage. I suspect he could have returned to the game if necessary, and I’m expecting him to be fine for next game.
Carlton Davis cleat-to-head video
-Head crunched then takes wicked shot to bare head
-Did not return. Presumably passed concussion eval as he was hanging out on sideline. Prob more scared than injured.
-Fortunate no laceration or eye damage
-I expect him to be fine for next game pic.twitter.com/nVNVSVWUvJ
ā Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 14, 2024
OTHER NOTES
Frank Ragnow strained his left pec three weeks ago. He showed no signs of aggravating the injury in his first game back.
Kerby Joseph had a mild hamstring issue during the practice week but was able to play the whole game without obvious aggravation. Good news going forward.
Hutchinson was playing at a Defensive Player of the Year level for the Lions, which makes his loss all the more painful for a football team expected to contend for a Super Bowl this winter.
The Lions, quite frankly, don’t have a player on the roster who can fill Hutchinson’s gap. You probably won’t find a scenario where Detroit can fully replicate what the elite defensive lineman gives them in general.
However, that doesn’t mean the team should be complacent with such a seismic hit to the defense.
With Hutchinson’s injury coming well ahead of the 2024 NFL trade deadline (Nov. 5), the Lions still have lots of time to add a player to the position group for the expected playoff push (and perhaps more).Ā Let’s survey five options.
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports
Jets OLB Haason ReddickĀ
The most obvious answer might be the trickiest. Reddick’s holdout has lasted the entirety of the New York Jets’ season, but the pass-rusher just hired new representation to potentially broker a deal to keep him in the Meadowlands. Trading for Reddick is the most logical answer for the Lions to replace Hutchinson… in theory. However, Detroit would have to sign Reddick to whatever contract he wants, one would assume, at the point of trade.
The Jets aren’t just going to let Reddick go without major compensation, and it’s entirely possible now the two sides figure something out now that the pass-rusher has fresh representation. We’re listing Reddick since he’s the clearest answer, but there are definite hurdles to prevent this from happening.
Katie Stratman/USA TODAY Sports
Bengals DE Trey HendricksonĀ
The Bengals are 2-4, and there is still plenty of time for Cincinnati to turn things around to make the playoffs. That makes trading arguably their best defensive player in Hendrickson a long shot. However, Cincinnati has depth on the edge and isn’t necessarily guaranteed to make the postseason at this rate. Could the Lions make a swing for the ages and get an A-grade pass-rusher to keep hopes of a Super Bowl run as buoyant as ever?
Both Lions coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn have experience with Hendrickson from the trio’s shared time with the New Orleans Saints. The Bengals’ defender fits into Glenn’s scheme like a glove. Hendrickson briefly requested a trade this offseason before backing down on it, too. However, you wonder if landing in a place like Detroit for a pay boost might pique his interest.
This is probably a pipe dream, but the Lions are desperate right now with a championship window so open. For the right compensation (a first-rounder and good change), perhaps Cincinnati is open to gaining assets for the future (or clearing out money to comfortably pay both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins) and sending Hendrickson to the Lions. Don’t discount the possibility of this, even if it’s not likely.
Ken Blaze/Imagn Images
Browns DE Za’Darius SmithĀ
Here’s where we start getting into decent possibilities after covering the most reasonable (if still unlikely) splashes. Smith is stuck on a Cleveland team that seems destined to tank its 2024 chances to keep quarterback Deshaun Watson in the lineup. That’s sad if you’re a Browns fan and probably very frustrating if you’re a veteran defender like Smith.
However, Detroit needs pass-rush help badly right now. Smith might be the perfect option to slide in to a starting role without costing the Lions a lot in in return. You could see the Browns welcoming, say, a fifth-round pick to move their second-best edge rusher in what’s shaping up to be a lost season. Smith could return to the NFC North where he last played for the Minnesota Vikings, and the Lions would get a respectable option to help replace the impact Hutchinson is leaving on the roster. A win-win!
Sam Navarro/Imagn Images
Dolphins DE Calais CampbellĀ
If you love football, this is the move you want to see. Campbell is a future Hall of Famer who just cannot end his phenomenal career playing for a Miami team in a tailspin. The Lions sending a sixth-round pick to the Dolphins to give Campbell a real run at a championship to perhaps close out his NFL playing days is the feel-good story we’d love to see happen.
Heck, we were calling for this even before the Hutchinson injury. Now that it’s even more pertinent that the Lions add a quality veteran to the rotation, getting Campbell in the building would be a huge boost. He’s still playing at a relatively high level at 38 years old, and it’d be a delight to see him playing deep into January with Detroit.
Brian Fluharty/USA TODAY Sports
Patriots DE Deatrich Wise Jr.Ā
Wise is, like Smith and Campbell, another reasonable possibility for Detroit off the edge. New England officially breaking in Drake Maye as the next possible franchise quarterback means a youth movement is coming for the Patriots. That might mean a veteran like Wise becomes expendable for a team looking to add younger talent in 2025 and beyond.
Wise only has two sacks this season so far, but he’s a starting-caliber edge rusher who won a Super Bowl with the Patriots to cap the 2018 season. He knows what it takes to win a title, and he’d give Detroit even more flexibility on the defensive line when it needs that most of all. For, say, a fifth-round pick, this feels like a pretty respectable option for a Lions team in need.
Aidan Hutchinson leg injury: Medical analysis and outlook from Dr. Jimmy Liao
On October 13, 2024, the Lions lost their most important defensive player in Aidan Hutchinson. Video is consistent with a left tibia and fibula fracture (tib/fib).
The mechanism of this injury can be due to a leg whip action which is what happened here. In this case, Hutchinson’s left leg whipped around and impacted Alim McNeill’s tibia.
Remarkably, this is not the first time a collision of McNeill and Hutchinson at the QB has caused a significant injury. Last year in week 13 vs the Saints, Hutchinson’s left leg also whipped around and hit McNeill in the knee spraining McNeill’s MCL.
McNeill was subsequently placed on IR and missed four games while Hutchinson avoided injury during that incident.
If you compare the two videos, they are eerily almost identical. Warning: graphic.
Aidan Hutchinson tib/fib fracture injury video
-Leg whip mechanism
-Despite gruesome nature, early reports/prognosis are good. Not open fracture. Presume no nerve/vascular damage.
-Good chance of full recovery in 6-9mo. Should be back in plenty of time for start of 2025. pic.twitter.com/nzXJRiY3b1
ā Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) October 14, 2024
Alim McNeill R knee injury video 3q 13:26
-Hit on R thigh, causes his knees to knock
-Returned to play with knee sleeve. Aggravated late 4q
-Possible painful bone contusion. Also could be cartilage damage or MCL. pic.twitter.com/ffFHH1MesQ
ā Jimmy Liao MD | Detroit Lions Morning Rounds (@JimmyLiaoMD) December 4, 2023
Should Hutchinson do anything differently in the future?
Given that this dangerous leg whip mechanism has occurred at least twice, it would be a good idea for Hutchinson and the Lions to do a thorough film review to see how often it is happening compared to other elite edge rushers.
Regardless of the findings, it is worth looking into adjusting his technique at the point of contact with the QB to stop that leg from whipping around.
Other cases of tib/fib fractures
MMA fans have seen similar leg whip (kicking) mechanisms cause tib/fib fractures to Anderson Silva, Conor McGregor, and Chris Weidman.
In basketball, this injury has been seen with Paul George and Kevin Ware.
A recent example that University of Michigan fans are aware of is OL Zak Zinter who suffered a tib/fib in November 2023 while at Michigan. He was still drafted in the 3rd round and was available for the start of this season. His mechanism of injury was that of a player falling onto his leg causing a leverage point on his hard knee brace.
Michigan fans may also vividly remember RB Fitzgerald Toussaint who had a tib/fib fracture in November 2012. He was able to return for the start of the next season.
Other NFL examples include WR Tyler Lockett who in December 2016 had a compound tib/fib fracture which means the skin was lacerated by the bone. He was able to return for the start of next season.
In September 2021, OL Nick Gates had a tib/fib fracture that required multiple surgeries due to setbacks. He returned in October of 2022.
In November 2018, QB Alex Smith suffered an infected tib/fib fracture that led to a well-documented, arduous recovery. He did not return to play until October 2020.
Early reports for Hutchinson
Multiple reports state that it is not a compound (open) fracture.
Hutchinson has already had surgery. Emergent surgery was expected so no surprise there.
The fact that this was not a compound fracture is excellent early news. A compound (open) fracture is where the broken bone lacerates the skin. The skin wound carries a risk of infection which can dramatically complicate things as evidenced by Alex Smith.
With talk of a chance of return for the Super Bowl, that implies that there were no immediate complications such as nerve damage or vascular (blood vessel) damage.
There is a small chance of compartment syndrome developing in the next couple days. The doctors will be keeping a close eye on this because it is a medical emergency. Compartment syndrome is when severe swelling of the calf cuts off blood flow thus damaging the leg.
OUTLOOK
The typical timeline for an uncomplicated tib/fib fracture is 6-9 months which means there is a very good chance Hutchinson will be ready in plenty of time for training camp.
The Super Bowl, which is less than 4 months away, apparently is not ruled out yet. Having a same-season target is fantastic for a player’s mental health regardless of if he makes it back or not.
While the injury looks gruesome, these bones tend to heal very well. Importantly, the injury does not appear to involve the ankle or knee joint thus the important cartilage and ligaments of those joints are preserved. If there is no joint involvement, the long-term ramifications of the injury are minimized.
There may be a mental hurdle to overcome since this is at least the second time he has had a violent, leg-whip collision at the QB. Hutchinson may spend some time refining his technique to build confidence and avoid a recurrence in the future.
If Hutchinson can overcome the mental obstacles and possibly tweak his technique, expect him to return to his elite form sometime in 2025 with no long-term concerns.
