Could Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson return to the field after season-ending injury?

According to Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer, if the Lions advance that far, they are “holding out hope” that Hutchinson would return by the NFC Championship Game on January 26.

DETROIT (FOX 2):Aidan Hutchinson, the defensive star for the Lions, may still have a broken leg, but his spirit is unbroken. We’ve seen tidbits of Hutch’s rehabilitation since his injury in week six, including an underwater treadmill.

Dr. Christopher Cooke was asked by FOX 2 to draw a comparison between Terrell Owens’s fractured leg during the 2004 season and Aidan Hutchinson’s injuries. After suffering an injury in week 14 of that year, Owens made a comeback seven weeks later when the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl.

The main distinction, according to Dr. Cooke, is that Owens shattered his fibula. The stronger of the two bones, Hutch’s tibia, was broken.

The Lions are “holding out hope” that Hutchinson may return by the NFC Championship Game on January 26 if the Lions advance that far, according to sources cited by Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer on Monday. Head coach Dan Campbell said the following:

“This injury is difficult. It is, but knowing who he is, I would never rule him out,” Campbell remarked. “He’s at work. I can’t say, but he’s making progress. I’m unable to provide you with a timeline.

Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten was also questioned by FOX 2 over the report.

“He’s walking up.” He looks good. All of us are hoping for him to get better. We’re praying for the best that he’ll return,” Hatten remarked.

However, they have already witnessed Detroit accomplish incredible things this season, such as kicker Jake Bates’ game-winning touchdown against Houston and Jared Goff’s fourth down trip mid-handoff on Thursday’s game-winning drive.

Could Hutch make a comeback from what some thought was a tibia injury that would terminate his season?

“Possible, yes,” Cooke replied.

Cooke is Detroit Medical Center’s Chief of Sports Medicine. Despite not being Hutch’s physician, he offered insight on the injury. According to Dr. Cooke, if there are no infections or other problems, over 90% of athletes can recover from a broken tibia in as little as three months.

The fact that Hutchinson did not injure any other bones or ligaments is also advantageous.

“Do I believe he will play if the Lions win the Super Bowl? “Yes,” Cooke responded. “Do I believe he will participate in the NFC Championship round or the divisional round? I would be extremely cautious. I would worry if he was my patient because there s a lot of things he needs to do beforehand to demonstrate it s safe for him to go back.”

“What are some of the things you would need for him to do before he can return to the playing field?” asked FOX 2’s Brandon Hudson.

“There s a process,” Cooke answered. “Every step of the way, there are tests. He has to be as strong as 90% on his operative leg as he is on his non-operative leg. So his quad strength, hamstring, calves, glute, not to mention his flexibility, needs to be increased before it s even an option.”

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