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Dan Campbell not sure Aidan Hutchinson has time to return to Detroit Lions for Super Bowl
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- Dan Campbell not sure Aidan Hutchinson has time to return to Detroit Lions for Super Bowl
Aidan Hutchinson is nearly two months into rehabbing his broken left leg and holding out hope for a postseason return, but Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell said he's still not sure "if he'll have the time to get there."
"This is a tough injury," Campbell said Monday. "It is, but I just would never count him out just knowing who he is. He's working, he is progressing, but I can't say — I can't give you a timeline and I don't know if he'll have the time to get there, but if anybody could, it's him."
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Campbell's comments came one day after Fox Sports reported the Lions were "holding out hope" Hutchinson could return for the NFC championship game Jan. 26.
Hutchinson was given a four- to six-month timeline for return when he fractured the tibia and fibula in his left leg Oct. 13 against the Dallas Cowboys . At the time, Campbell said it was possible Hutchinson could be back if the Lions reached the Super Bowl.
Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys is sacked by Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions in the third quarter of a game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024.
INJURY UPDATE: Detroit Lions DL still 'in flux'; Alim McNeill progressing in concussion protocol
A return for the NFC championship game would accelerate Hutchinson's return by two weeks.
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The Lions have dealt with a rash of injuries on their defensive line this season. Along with Hutchinson, starting defensive end Marcus Davenport (torn triceps) and backup linemen Kyle Peko (torn pectoral) and John Cominsky (torn MCL) are on injured reserve, and DJ Reader, Josh Paschal and Levi Onwuzurike missed last week's win over the Green Bay Packers.
Campbell said his level of optimism about Hutchinson returning late in the year has not changed since the injury.
"Honestly, I'm where I was when the injury happened," he said.
In other injury news, Campbell confirmed linebacker Alex Anzalone and punt returner Kalif Raymond are on track to return late in the season or in the playoffs — their availability in Weeks 17 and 18 could depend on whether the Lions are still playing for seeding or the NFC North title — while the Lions could open the return-to-practice windows for defensive backs Ennis Rakestraw and Ifeatu Melifonwu net week.
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates his touchdown in the end zone, during the Thursday Night Football at Ford Field in Detroit on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
Rock the vote
With two weeks left in fan voting, the Lions still lead all NFL teams in total Pro Bowl votes.
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Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is fifth in fan voting behind Lamar Jackson , Saquon Barkley , Derrick Henry and Josh Allen , and seven Lions have the most votes among NFC players at their positions: Penei Sewell (tackle), Kevin Zeitler (guard), Frank Ragnow (center), Brian Branch (strong safety), Kerby Joseph (free safety), Jack Fox (punter) and Sione Vaki (special teams).
Joseph, Ragnow, Sewell, Vaki and Zeitler lead all players at their positions in votes, regardless of conference, Branch is second, Gibbs and Fox are third and 11 other Lions rank in the top 10 in voting by position.
Jared Goff is fifth at quarterback, Amon-Ra St. Brown is third at receiver, Taylor Decker is second at offensive tackle, Graham Glasgow is second at guard, Carlton Davis III is sixth at cornerback, Alim McNeill is ninth at defensive tackle, Jack Campbell is ninth at inside linebacker, Jake Bates is fifth at kicker, Hogan Hatten is second at long snapper, David Montgomery is eighth at running back, Sam LaPorta is sixth at tight end.
Dave Birkett will sign copies of his new book, " Detroit Lions : An Illustrated Timeline" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Dearborn Public Library.
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Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com . Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson return time? Dan Campbell gives update
